A recent internal document from the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) has disclosed that a small fraction of ferries operating on the state’s inland waterways adhere to the required safety and operational standards.
The report, titled “Interferry Presentation,” indicates that only 118 of the 729 passenger boats currently in use across Lagos meet the expected benchmarks for public transport vessels.
Among the compliant ferries, 36 are managed by the state-owned Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), while the remaining 82 are operated by private companies. This revelation highlights significant gaps in safety compliance, raising concerns about the overall regulation and oversight of water transportation in Lagos.
To address these challenges, LASWA is collaborating with the French Development Agency (Agence Française de Développement, AFD) on a strategic intervention programme known as the “Waterways Investment and Development of the Environment in Lagos State” (WIDE-LAG). The initiative, which runs from 2023 to 2030, seeks to promote sustainable water-based mobility, improve urban living standards, and minimise the environmental impact of mass transit in Lagos.
The project, now rebranded as the “Omi Eko Project,” aligns with the Lagos State Government’s Climate Action Plan (2020–2025) and is estimated to cost €410 million. Funding for the initiative includes contributions from multiple international partners, with the AFD Group providing €130 million and the European Investment Bank (EIB) committing €170 million.
Additional support includes €60 million from the European Union, €40 million in counterpart funding from the Lagos State Government, and €10 million expected from private sector investments.
The Omi Eko Project represents a critical step toward modernising Lagos’ water transport infrastructure, ensuring safer and more efficient mobility solutions for residents while addressing environmental sustainability.
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cc: Daily Post Ng
