Lagos Licenses 4 More Water Transport Companies

The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr. Kayode Opeifa on Friday said the number of private operators in its water transportation sector had been increased to 12.

Opeifa told the News Agency of Nigeria NAN that increasing the number of operators from eight to 12 was to further ensure that the state’s vast waterways were fully used to ease traffic congestion on the roads.

He explained that with the expected light rail service, combined with the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and the increase in the number of ferries and boats, traffic gridlocks would disappear from Lagos roads before 2015.

Opeifa expressed the hope that the multi-modal transport system being put in place would enhance the emerging mega-city status of Lagos and bring its transport sector at par with what obtains in similar cities worldwide.

In the same vein, the Managing Director of Lagos State Water Authority (LASWA), Mr. Yinka Marinho has advised residents of riverside areas to avoid moving close to the water whenever there was high tide.

Marinho told NAN that with the forecasted heavy rainfall in the state this year, everyone should learn from the devastating flooding of July10, caused by a heavy downpour.

The LASWA managing director appealed to all those engaged in water transportation in the state to ensure that all their passengers securely fasten their life jackets during voyages.