In the bid to complement the existing Jetties and create more avenues for water transportation, construction work is at an advanced stage on 13 new jetties across the State and the jetties will be ready for use very soon.
The Commissioner for Waterfront Infrastructure Development, Hon. Yacoob Ekundayo Alebiosu disclosed this on Friday at the Y2024 Ministerial Press Briefing organised to commemorate the first year of the second term in office of Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu.
Reeling out the achievements of the Ministry under his stewardship in the last year, the Commissioner revealed that the new Jetties are additions to the seven Jetties commissioned and handed over to Lagos State Waterways (LASWA) this time last year by the Governor.
Hon. Alebiosu noted that the Jetties are expected to boost water transportation which will serve as an alternative to road travel, especially to avoid incessant traffic gridlock on Lagos roads in line with the intermodal transportation system of the State Government. He added that the construction of the jetties is also aimed at promoting safe and easy transportation, reducing travel time as well as enhancing commerce and tourism.
The Commissioner also disclosed that the jetties will also open up more reclamation opportunities for the creation of waterfront schemes and improve connectivity in the coastal areas. Two out of the 13 Jetties, VIP Charlet Waterfront Jetty in Badagry and Ilado Jetty at Amuwo-Odofin are already completed and awaiting commissioning.
According to him, “Takwa Bay Jetty is 93% completed, Agboyi Ketu in Kosofe LGA is 93% completed, Construction is ongoing at Apa Waterfront Jetty, Epe Jetty Terminal at Epe, Ebute Lekki Jetty, White Sand Jetty Terminal at Oyingbo and Ilashe (Periwinkle) Jetty at Ilashe Ojo. Others are the upgrading of Mile 2 jetty at Amuwo-Odofin, Ebute Ero Jetty, Ijede Jetty at Ikorodu, Muwo Jetty at Ojo and Oke Ira-Nla Jetty at Ajah, Eti-Osa LGA”
Alebiosu stated that the State Government through his Ministry has also embarked on the channelization of the 6.8 km Ikorodu-Mende route for easy navigation of boats, ships and ferries for transportation of the people and goods for people/communities travelling along the route.
The Commissioner noted that for effective safe and efficient water transportation, the State Government will continue to open new ferry routes while maintaining the existing ones