Lagos to get 60 ferries as Fashola inspects prototype in Australia

History was made in Brisbane, Queensland in Australia on Thursday as Lagos State Governor, Mr Babatunde Fashola (SAN) pushed ahead with another electoral promise of accelerating inter-modal transportation through the extensive use of the State’s waterways when he witnessed the signing of the Ferry Manufacturing Agreement for the State between Aluminium Boats Company of Brisbane, Australia and a consortium of water transportation practitioners, Eko Water Buses Limited.

The Agreement signing event which was preceded by an inspection and a ride on one of the prototype ferries, being manufactured for the State, by Governor Fashola and his entourage is for the initial batch of 60 ferries each with a 200 passenger capacity to be deployed on various routes.

These ferries are like the water buses because of their passenger carrying capacity.

The inspection and Agreement signing followed a recent Memorandum of Understanding between the Lagos State Government represented by the Private Public Partnerships Office and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the consortium, Eko Water Buses Limited which aims to deploy one ferry for a pilot scheme by July this year. According to the Agreement and production schedule, five more of the purpose built and fully fitted high capacity ferries will be deployed by December this year making a total of six.

However in the near term and as part of the positive spin offs from the Agreement, about 50 Nigerians will benefit from a comprehensive training programme in Marine Operations, Boat Services and Repairs in the expansive boat building facility of Aluminium Boats Company in Brisbane, Queensland ,Australia as a prelude to the full commencement of the ferry services operations in December.

Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN) and his entourage were received in Brisbane, Queensland by a representative of the Premier of Queensland, the Treasurer and Minister for Trade, Mr Tim Nicholls, the top management of Aluminium Boats Company of Australia including its Chief Executive Officer, Mr Stuart Pascoe and General Manager, Mr Tommy Ericson as well as representatives of the consortium, Eko Water Buses Limited led by its Chief Operating Officer,Mr Muyiwa Omololu and their technical partners including Mr John Waterhouse and Captain Elgin Mckilop.

Also on hand to meet with the Governor and his entourage which included the Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Private Partnerships, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi and Managing Director of the Lagos State Waterways Authority ( LASWA),Mr Yinka Marinho were representatives of international financial institutions backing the landmark project including Westpac lnstitutional Bank of Brisbane, Commercial Banking of Australia and the Export Finance and Insurance Corporation ( EFIC).

Apart from a test ride on the prototype of the ferry demonstrating its versatility, durability and safety features, the Governor and his entourage also undertook an extensive tour of the company’s boat yard during which he inspected one of the boats being built for the Lagos operations.

The major private sector partners of this project which will provide a great boost to safe and secure water transportation in Lagos State as an integral part of the inter-modal transportation which also includes the Bus Rapid Transit system and the light rail project ,Eko Water Buses Limited is a consortium of world class ferry operators. It includes Western Pacific Maritime based in Vancouver, Canada, the Eliot Bay Design Group and other technical partners like Transit Systems of Australia and Whitewater Marine Corporation of Canada.



http://www.worldstagegroup.com/worldstagenew/index.php?active=news&newscid=4565&catid=41

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Lagos metropolitan area is by far the largest and most complex urban area in Nigeria and, in economic terms, it is pre-eminent. With about 17.8 million inhabitants, Lagos is also one of the largest cities of the world, and its population is growing rapidly at a rate of nearly 6% per annum. It contains the largest manufacturing sector and provides employment for over 45% of the skilled manpower of the country.

The poor condition of the road network and of the public transport system affects severely the development of the city and the working and living conditions of the population, particularly the poorer part of it. A lack of adequate infrastructural expansion over the years to cope with the increasing population has resulted in heavy traffic congestion within the city. Traveling within Lagos takes double and sometime triple the normal time, adversely affecting economic development and quality of life.

To address this problem, there is need to diversify Lagos transport modes and encourage modal choice for passengers. Water transportation is a realistic and potentially effective option given that Lagos is blessed with abundant water bodies that could be harnessed to offer fast, safe, comfortable and cheaper water transportation services.

In comparison with other major urban developments near or situated close to the sea and/or riverine and lagoon systems, the percentage of water transportation in the overall matrix of transports modes for Lagos State is well below 1%. Other cities like London, Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney, New York, etc. have a well established water transportation system, which roughly amounts to 5-10% of the overall commuter traffic flows.

The state government has therefore made it its policy to develop, very rapidly, commuter water transportation routes in the state to arrest the decline in the quality of life in Lagos and sustain economic development in the state and ultimately the country.

The routes are to be developed using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) delivery strategy, whereby the public sector (LAMATA on behalf of the state) finances infrastructure provision (jetties and landings, car-parks, access roads etc) whilst the private sector provides and operates ferry services to specifications to be provided by LAMATA.

The Proposed Water Transportation Routes

A detailed feasibility study of the development of ferry services is underway (by Royal Haskoning Ltd) in order to achieve the development and implementation of a detailed strategic plan for improving the use of waterways of Metropolitan Lagos for transport services, including establishing, formulating and implementing an appropriate regulatory framework, promotion of scheme for the encouragement of private sector participation in the provision of commuter water transport services.

Seven main routes have been identified for development (see figure 1(Please create a hyperlink with the map)) of which 3 routes and the Marina terminal are earmarked as priority (create hyperlink to figure 2). The priority routes are;

* Ikorodu to Marina (North Direct Line)
* Ebutte Ojo (LASU) to Marina via Satellite Town (Ijegun Egba) (West Line) and
* Ijede-Badore to Marina via Lekki and Falomo (East Line)

There is also a plan to develop Osborne and turn it into a major terminal Interchange. (create hyperlink to the Osborne Interchange plan)


Proposed Water Commuter Routes


The 3 routes earmarked as Priority


Repairs and Spot Improvements to Terminals and Waterways

One of the major constraints on existing and potential water transport services is the inadequacy in the provision of safe and attractive terminal facilities. LAMATA is therefore embarking on spot improvements along some routes to help shorten and /or make water commuting safer. The objectives of the Repairs and Spot Improvements to Terminals and Waterways are as follows;

* Repairs or provision of water transport terminal/Interchange infrastructure that is safe for communities heavily dependent on water transport
* Spot improvements along some routes.
* To improve water safety and make it more attractive to users.

Presently, LAMATA has almost completed the rehabilitation of two jetties; Agboyi-Ketu jetty in Oriade Local Council Development Area of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Ijegun-Egba jetty in Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area in Kofose Local Government Area of Lagos State. The rehabilitation works includes installation of sheet piles, construction of waiting shelters, electrification of the jetty area, resurfacing of access roads and provision of required traffic system measures amongst other things.

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Work at the new modern jetty in Badore, would be capable of b[b]erthing ferries of 500-passenger capacity, is nearing completion [/b](see pictures from earlier in the year below).

The Badore Jetty is one of the three new jetties being built by the Lagos State government at a cost of N8.5 billion (the other two are located at Ipakodo and Osborne in Ikoyi), in addition to some old jetties that would be renovated and rehabilitated, under the first phase of the LASG's ferry transportation program.

The ferry transportation program would include the building of modern terminals, as well as the dredging and channellisation of some ferry routes. These include Ikorodu - Badore, via Oreta, Baiyeku and Ijede; Ikorodu - Osborne; Badore - Lekki/VI; Oke Afa - Mile 2; Tolu/Ajegunle - Port Novo creek - Liverpool; and the planned repairs of Epeme and Iya Afin jetties.

Eye on Lagos - Changing Face of Transport (after removal of fuel subsidy)



https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6NLbwrzrpJY

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yE9AO1OxZQ8

http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showthread.php?t=1507778

Courtesy of skyscrapper city!

Nice one Fashola. I just hope this country will not be STUPID enough not to elect you as President!

Eko o ni baje lai lai.


It's all about leadership.

Eko Ile: Eko o ni baje lai lai.


It's all about leadership.

This is GREAT NEWS!!! Fashola is a great leader. I wish all governors were like him.

eko baje ti.

Hmmmm... Nice!

I pray everyday that the ferry and rail services should commence before Fashola leaves office. The Lekki Expressway and Lekki Ikoyi link bridge projects are almost complete.

naptu2: I pray everyday that the ferry and rail services should commence before Fashola leaves office. The Lekki Expressway and Lekki Ikoyi link bridge projects are almost complete.

Amen . . . on the highlighted, how complete are they? Still at 80%?

I took some pics of the bridge yesterday afternoon. This time I took pics that captured the height of the suspension column, the length of the bridge, the street lights and, a month ago, I took pics of the bridge from the Ikoyi end.

Click on this link to see the pics https://www.nairaland.com/829205/fashola-inspects-ikoyi-bridge-now/4

Man, nice one! Thanks for the link!

Naptu2
I found this. Are these the water buses currently in Lagos ?

I've seen similar looking boats on Five Cowry Creek.

About the Fourth Mainland Bridge: At the last pre-election debate, I heard Fashola say that the cost of building the bridge had gone up since the idea was conceived in 2003 and that, in order to bridge the gap, they had commenced ferry services between Ikorodu and Badore while they worked out a way to fund construction of the bridge.

Some close friends of mine recently moved to Ikorodu. They use the ferry service between Ikorodu and Lekki. They report that it is faster, cheaper and more comfortable. I plan to try it out when I go visit them soon.

Please contribute to the discussion on this thread

https://www.nairaland.com/919777/lagos-state-orders-60-ferries

naptu2: I've seen similar looking boats on Five Cowry Creek.

About the Fourth Mainland Bridge: At the last pre-election debate, I heard Fashola say that the cost of building the bridge had gone up since the idea was conceived in 2003 and that, in order to bridge the gap, they had commenced ferry services between Ikorodu and Badore while they worked out a way to fund construction of the bridge.

Some close friends of mine recently moved to Ikorodu. They use the ferry service between Ikorodu and Lekki. They report that it is faster, cheaper and more comfortable. I plan to try it out when I go visit them soon.

Please contribute to the discussion on this thread

https://www.nairaland.com/919777/lagos-state-orders-60-ferries

@highlighted
Damn! After so much work . . .they better look for a way to complete it asap!

Bros, please take some pictures when you go on the ferry!

Duplicated topic. Kindly continue in this older thread: https://www.nairaland.com/919777/lagos-state-orders-60-ferries

Our apologies we are acting this late after mny replies.

Thanks