Lagos State Government says it plans to introduce Water Taxi by the third quarter of 2025.
The launch of the water taxi is another transportation system operations towards promoting easy commuting across the state.
The state said the launch would accompany the deployment of 70 electric ferries, a major push to modernise and expand the state transportation infrastructure.
The water taxi service will be operated in partnership with Lagos State Water Ways Authority (LASWA) and private sector collaborators,
The Managing Director of Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), Mr Abdoulbaq Balogun, said this during a media parley in Lagos.
He said the initiative is in line with the state’s THEMES plus agenda, which prioritises sustainable transportation, infrastructure development, and reduction of carbon emissions.
Mr Balogun said that preparatory works such as dredging and sterilisation of select water routes are currently underway to enable the rollout
3 million passengers
He explained that since LAGFERRY began commercial operations in February 2020, it has transported over three million passengers across Lagos waterways.
Mr Balogun said that the service which started with just 4 boats when Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu assumed office in 2019, has since grown through sustained government investment.
The LAGFERRY boss said that several new jetties and terminals, some under construction and others nearing completion are expected to be commissioned in the coming months to further expand the state’s water transport network.
Boat retrofitting
According to him, retrofitting of the existing ferry fleet is underway to meet modern safety and performance standards, while construction has commenced on a state-of-the-art drydock facility that will serve as a maintenance hub.
“Retrofitting our boats will enhance durability and ensure smoother, safer, and more efficient rides across Lagos’ waterways. The drydock will also reduce operational downtime and improve long-term sustainability,” he said.
Water Taxi in the Future
The Managing Director, Lagos State Waterways Authority, LASWA represented by Mr. Ibrahim Famuyiwa said there are several initiatives underway and one of them is the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the French Development Agency (AFD) on the deployment of 70 electric ferries into the waterways.
“This is part of a broader strategy to drive sustainable urban mobility and multimodal integration across Lagos,” Famuyiwa said.
The MD further stressed that some states including Anambra, Kogi and Delta had come to Lagos to under-study the operations of the waterways in the State because of milestone achievements recorded so far.
CREDIT:VON
