Two Turkish and South African firms are considering investing millions of dollars in the Lagos waterways transport system to break the throttlehold of unbearable traffic jams on the state’s economy and the wellbeing of its 17 million inhabitants.

Inhabitants of Lagos state have long looked forward to the relief of a workable and efficient inter-modal public transportation system to ease the road gridlocks and save millions of otherwise productive man hours.

CEOAFRICA gathered that the foreign firms will be partnering with some local investors, and already are reaching out to the Lagos State Government, which for its part, is investing billions of naira in the construction of standard jetties across the state, preparatory to full commercial ferry operations.

Some of the jetties undergoing construction and rehabilitation in the state include Ikorodu, Badore, Osborne and Mile 2, while a few others are already operational and offering water transportation services.

The state commissioner for information and strategy Lateef Ibirogba, in his address, said the facilities put in place at the Ikorodu ferry terminal, include a floor space for 200 cars and 200 buses, fuel dump, slip way, retail outlets (shops, banking hall, restaurant etc and disability access).

He continues that the Osborne ferry terminal in Ikoyi, which is nearing completion, are floor space of 14,500 square metres, car park for 170 cars and 15 buses, fuel dump, retail outlets (shops, banking hall, restaurant etc) as well as disability access.

He further explained that similar facilities are also in place at the old Mile 2 jetty, which has been rehabilitated and that it  is expected to resume operation later in the year, with refurbished ferry boats from the old fleet of the former Governor Lateef Jakande era, adding that it has a space of 6,228.32 square metres, while the Badore jetty boasts of 24,000 square metres.

The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), a body established by the state government in 2008 and empowered by the law to regulate, develop and manage all aspect of the waterways in Lagos, together with the Office of Public Private Partnership (PPP) under the Governor’s Office, are driving the process.

He revealed that the expected investment is in line with the state government’s plan to introduce an inter-modal public transportation system – connecting water, road and rail seamlessly, as obtains in some developed economies around Europe.

 It was learnt that some Nigerian firms are already engaging in bilateral trade with their foreign partners, to ensure the success of the system.

The Managing Director of Multimodal Transport Technology, Kayode Abdulaziz Olowu, , a water transport operator, said the partners are considering the deployment of advanced modern technology in water transportation in the state.

“They are trying to bring technologies in using the waterways in terms of infrastructure, ferries and boats. Some of them are looking at setting up boat factories here, while others are interested in building inland waterway infrastructure in Lagos”, he said.

“On our side, we are negotiating with two companies and soon, we will launch the floating jetties project, in partnership with the state government, in places where we do not have enough jetties,” he stated.

He revealed they want to set up platforms where boats can dock and people can also go and enter boats, adding that if the floating jetty is not needed in an area, it can be relocated to another area.