The government of the state of Lagos presented plans for the introduction of a water taxis system before the end of 2025 as part of a broader strategy for the lighting of road traffic and promoting sustainable urban traffic. The preparatory excavator of the most important water routes has already started to support the rollout.
This development was announced by the managing director Ladi Balogun during a press conference in the Falomo -Steg on Tuesday by the Nigeria business agency (NAN).
The initiative, which is aimed at the topics of+ agenda of the state, is intended to reduce traffic jams, improve the infrastructure and reduce carbon emissions by expanding the use of domestic waterways.
“The government of the state of Lagos has announced plans for the introduction of water taxis in the context of efforts to facilitate traffic jams and to increase productivity by improved transport on the state's waterways,” says the NAN report.
Balogun confirmed that excavator and sterilization of certain routes are underway, and added that the service will surely begin before the end of 2025 if it does not start until the middle of the year.
“We develop named 'water stops', similar to bus stops.
He emphasized that Lagos increases the efforts to completely use its waterways in order to relieve the increasing pressure on the street infrastructure.
Balogun was with security concerns that have discouraged the public introduction of water transport in the past that strict security measures are enforced. This includes obligatory life jackets and certified training for boat operators.
In order to strengthen the public's trust, Lagferry recently carried out a demonstration sail and helped the passengers to experience the system first -hand and feel calm about its safety and efficiency.
Although water transport is faster and more environmentally friendly than street trips, Balogun admitted that fear and limited exposure still stop many Lagosians from hugging them. However, he believes that this will change if more people experience the advantages directly.
Since Lagferry started commercial operation in February 2020, over three million passengers have used the service. At the beginning of the administration of governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu in 2019, the agency only made four boats, but this number has increased significantly due to persistent investments in the sector.
Balogun also showed that several new jetties and ferry terminals are under construction, whereby it is reasonably almost finished. These are expected to be commissioned in the coming months and are expanding access and connectivity over the waterways of the state.