The Lagos State Waterways Authority says it is planning to boost inland waterways transport with the introduction of more than 70 electric ferries, jetties upgrade and dredging.

The General Manager of LASWA,  Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, gave the assurance in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Lagos on Sunday.

He said the boost would come through a foreign investment project called ‘Omi Eko Project’.

According to Emmanuel, the project will bring about an influx of electric ferries, upgrade of the current 25 jetties and terminals, and dredging of 140km of waterways.

He added that there would be capacity building for LASWA officials and funding for informal sector operators who would apply to run the boats.

“As we all know, there has been a significant investment in road transportation, we have seen a lot of buses coming in, the rail taking off as well.  This brings about a standard structure.

“The state government has some of these infrastructure but we want to make them widespread because they are not enough.

“The infrastructure I am referring to are the jetties and terminals. The state government has a lot of them but we want to make them standard across the board and also increase the number to make more impacts.

“The state government is looking at transportation in terms of an integrated transportation system which is the rail, water and road. Road and rail are picking up; so, water will not be left behind,” he said.

He expressed the hope that the significant investment would enable LASWA to boost the infrastructure needed for efficient waterways transport.

On the activities of LASWA in the past six months, he said safety had been paramount to the agency.

He said that within the period, the agency improved waterways transport and introduced locally-made boats which were inaugurated about a month ago.

“This is building local content which is the first of its kind in the country. Very soon, we will commence the process of concession to operators who will manage the boats,” he said.

Emmanuel said that in 2024, LASWA got  ISO Certification, expressing the hope that it would help to improve the standard of operations generally.

The LASWA boss said the agency would continue to synergise with other agencies such as the National Inland Waterways Authority, Lagos State Emergency Management Agency and Lagos State Ambulance Service to ensure safe and secure waterways.

“We are also working with the marine police and navy to ensure waterways safety,” he said.

Emmanuel said LASWA was no longer involved in granting licences to ferry operators, adding that it was aimed to eliminate double taxation for the operators.

According to him,  for the remaining part of the year, LASWA will be involved in the full launch of Omi Eko project and continue to keep waterways safe and secure.