Lagos seeks PPP to boost waterways transport

Commissions 1,449 School Projects

Lagos State Government has said increased public-private collaboration is critical to foster growth and investment in waterways transportation in the country, which has the potentiality of reducing traffic congestion in the state.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said this at the maiden Lagos Waterways Investment Summit themed, Lagos State Transportation: Transformation and Investment Opportunities, organised by Future Cities Nigeria (FCN) and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

Sanwo-Olu said areas of investment required by the private sector include the provision of water transportation (passengers, car and cargo), construction of infrastructure and management, technical partnership and consultancy, financing and provision of logistics.

He noted that the state with 1,171 square kilometres of Nigeria’s landmass, 40 per cent is water, with lagoons and creeks covering 22 per cent, adding that, this was why his administration cannot ignore waterways transportation.

Sanwo-Olu, represented by Mr. Ope George, the Special Adviser, Office of Public-Private Partnership, said successful partnership with the private sector in waterways would bring positive change in the socio-economic status of the inhabitants of the state.

The governor noted that the state government had made some interventions in the waterways sector, which would further boost the enabling environment for the private sector.

The General Manager, LASWA, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, highlighting the achievement of the state government in the waterways, said it had access 15 of the 20 local councils in the waterways.

Emmanuel noted that this was to ensure that waterways transportation worked efficiently in the state. He said: “The investment opportunities will therefore complement the efforts of the present government to combat traffic congestion on Lagos road. It will also reduce the amount of time it takes for citizens to commute especially during the peak period. In addition, this will also assist in poverty alleviation through increased economic activities from the provision of safe, cheap and reliable transportation.”

Meanwhile, Sanwo-Olu disclosed that 1,449 school infrastructural projects have been commissioned in 1,036 schools in Lagos State under his administration.

Sanwo-Olu said this at the closing ceremony and dinner of the 61st Independence anniversary of President’s National Inter-Basic School Debate Championship held on Thursday night in Ikeja, Lagos.

The Commissioner for Education represented him; Mrs. Folasade Adefisayo said 96,334 dual composite units of furniture were supplied to primary and secondary schools across the state.

He said: “So far, our government has delivered over 1,449 school infrastructural projects, covering 1,036 schools across the state. Our government ensured prompt construction and rehabilitation of dilapidated public schools, while 96,334 dual composite units of furniture were supplied to primary and secondary schools across the state.”