Follow Us on Google
By Lukman Olabiyi, Lagos
The Lagos State Government urged the state resident not to entertain any fear in using its waterways because it has provided adequate measures and facilities for their safety.
Apart from adequate measures and facilities being provided for the safety of the passenger on waterway, the state government disclosed that users are now to benefit added advantage of cash rewards.
This was disclosed by the Managing Director, Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, at a press briefing on Thursday.
According to him, the new development in the services was an attempt to make waterways users “to enjoy and maximise” the benefits of the use of waterways informed the adoption of the reward system.
Adding that the reward system was introduced to give an added advantage to users of waterways through LAGFERRY.
The LAGFERRY boss said his organisation’s collaboration with Eko token for the reward system, which he described asa “seamless, wonderful and fantastic initiative” is a pathway for waterways users to enjoy added benefits, extending a reward system to users who patronise Lagos Ferry Services.
He disclosed that more boats would be commissioned for use in close time, mentioning that with the development, experiences with businesses and commuting would further receive a broader outlook with firm control and regulation.
The state’s Commissioner for Wealth Creation and Employment, Mrs Yetunde Arobieke said the core value of the initiative is to create a responsive path to meet the needs of Lagosians.
According to her, the initiative was conceived “to better the lives of Lagosians”, stating that the “success is for every Lagosians to get benefits for every purchase with instant rewards.”
“It is the dawn of the new season to change lives of Lagosians for good,” she said, stating that it was the right time for businesses to begin to reward Lagosians who have contributed to their “success stories.”
“We are now telling them (companies and businesses) that you should reward those that have made you rise from nothing to something,” she said.
She appreciated State Governor Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu for his full support towards the birthing of the initiative.
Read also: Ex-agitators beg Buhari to make Dikio PAP’s substantive boss
The General Manager, Lagos State Consumers Protection Agency (LASCOPA), Afolabi Sholebo, said the Government is committed to protecting the rights of consumers in the state.
He said the reward system would avail Lagosians not just to get “the value for money and services” but also tokens, “while spending and at the same time getting benefits.”
The Chairman, United Waterways Passengers Association, Ade Bakare, said members of the Association are looking forward “to the project being successful and impactful.”
Mentioning that it is not so cheap to “fly waterways”, he said the initiative comes with added advantage with immense benefits to passengers “to get something in return for money spent on waterways.”
He said with more LAGFERRY boats, there has been an increase in the usage of waterways in Lagos, stating that with improved monitoring mechanisms, only very few incidences of mishaps were recorded.
The CEO of Lagos Lottery And Gaming Authority, Mr Are Bashir, said the project was built around the anchor of the THEMES agenda, which he said was designed around Private Public Partnership (PPP) under a tripod arrangement.
According to him, the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic with the associated economic challenges necessitated the essentials of innovation to address new situations.
Describing the system as a “win-win situation for every stakeholder”, he said “the initiative is all-encompassing and a great innovation,” employing all Lagosians to key into it to optimise the benefits.
The General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr Damilola Emmanuel, said the Government in an effort to raise the standards for safety measures, has employed more officers to strengthen its workforce for proper monitoring of waterways activities and increase patrol for rescue missions.
According to him, mechanisms have been put in place for access to petrol on the waterways in the state.
He disclosed the state is at the verge to commission a broad-based command and control centre for effectively monitoring all activities on waterways to respond to unfortunate incidences.
According to him, the safety measures are very important, to encourage more people, mentioning that there has been about 90 to 95 per cent compliance with the use of life jackets with stricter controls.
He disclosed that the state government provides a minimum of 2000 life jackets to various stakeholders for safety precautions.
