The Lagos State Government (LASG) has assured of its commitment to fully explore and take advantage of all the potentials of the waterways.
The Managing Director, Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) Hon Abdoulbaq Balogun gave the assurance during its agency’s annual Valentine’s Day event. He said: “Government is committed to exploring the full potential of the Lagos waterways and one of the things we can do is to have a social event as Valentine’s Day celebration on the water.”
While expressing appreciation to Sanwo-Olu for creating an enabling environment for tourists, and people who want to make use of the waterways, Balogun noted that the event aside from celebrating love, is also organised to support the Super Eagles.
“This is an indoor event taking place outdoors on the waterways, we are on the boat and barge and the boat is sailing along the Five Cowries Creek, this is water tourism that Lagos has started. We can actually traverse the entire Lagos State by getting through the waterways and that is what Lagos State is demonstrating to the entire world as part of the transformation agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.”
Balogun further said: “The first cardinal pillar of development is the letter T and that stands for traffic management and transportation, what we are doing today carries the letter, T. it also carries the letter E, which is the fifth pillar of the cardinal development and that is entertainment, sports and tourism.”
On passenger safety and security, Balogun said that a lot of safety parameters were put in place to ensure safety. “When it comes to security, we have the Navy and the marine police partnering with us today and also the regulator, the Lagos State Waterways Authority are here, and also, everyone is wearing their life jackets.”
Balogun also noted that the blue economy would aid economic growth and development if property was harnessed. “The blueprint was contained in the Strategic Transportation Master Plan of 2002 when Bola Tinubu was the governor of the state. So it has always been on Lagos State agenda.”
