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By Stveve Agbota
The Lagos state government is set to overhaul water transportation with electric ferries, expanded waterways, and integrated links with road and rail systems under a five-year mobility plan aimed at safer, cheaper and more sustainable travel.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Marine and Blue Economy, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos during a meeting with members of the Shipping Correspondent Association of Nigeria (SCAN), led by its President, Moses Ebosele.
Emmanuel, who also serves as General Manager of LASWA, said the plan includes dredging about 140 kilometres of inland waterways, upgrading terminals, and strengthening operational capacity across the sector.
“The goal is to build an efficient, interconnected system linking the eastern, western, and central parts of Lagos,” he said, noting that the government will also prioritise training for operators and regulators while ensuring informal operators are not left out.
He revealed that pilot electric ferry operations have already shown positive results, while work is ongoing to transition from conventional engines to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) as part of a cleaner energy drive.
On affordability, Emmanuel admitted water transport remains more expensive than road travel due to operating costs, but said it offers faster journeys and relief from heavy traffic.
He added that major transport hubs are being developed at Mile 2 and Marina to connect water, rail and bus services for seamless movement across the state.
According to him, safety on the waterways has improved, with a drop in accidents due to better infrastructure, regulation and sustained engagement with operators. Lagos currently records about 1.5 million to 2 million passenger trips monthly.
Emmanuel also highlighted efforts to tackle marine pollution, especially plastic waste, through partnerships with environmental agencies and NGOs, alongside initiatives to convert water hyacinth into useful products.
He reaffirmed the government’s commitment to building a sustainable blue economy.
Ebosele, in his remarks, called for stronger collaboration between LASWA and the media to deepen public awareness and improve outreach, especially in rural communities.
