LASG Urges commuters to embrace water transport for improved travel time, air quality
3 min read
Modern jetty
Lagos State Government, LASG, is fervently urging Lagosians to embrace Water Transportation in order to decongest the road, as it guarantees faster travel time, eliminates pollution and improves commuter health as carbon monoxide C02, such as being generated in chaotic road traffic situation is none existent on the waterways.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, Mr Sewedo Oluseyi Whenu, made this appeal while fielding questions on ‘’AWAYE”, a Yoruba Motoring programme on Radio Lagos, 107.5FM.
He urged commuters to seize the occasion of the yuletide to try out water transportation to access their destinations and not depend solely on road, noting that the present Administration had committed huge resources to the development of transport infrastructure.
The Permanent Secretary also revealed that as a result of the steady increase in the number of Lagosians embracing water transport, the state government had concluded plans to procure additional boats to accommodate the increased riders, and also ensure commuters and operators observe operational safety guidelines on the waterways.
Oluseyi Whenu said the government had drastically modified the jetties with spaces for parking cars and modest lounges for passengers’ comfort. He, however, warned that wearing a life jacket onboarding the boat in Lagos is not optional but very compulsory as anyone who refuses to wear life jacket would not be allowed to ride on the boat/ferry.
On the issue of traffic management, Whenu stated that the additional 1000 trained LASTMA Officers engaged by the State Government will further ease the flow of traffic and had impacted positively in the reduction of traffic congestion within the metropolis, adding that their operational time had also increased from 8.00 pm to 10.00 pm.
For the Festive period which has drawn near, the Permanent Secretary emphasised the need for motorists to observe the traffic rules and regulations for the safety of lives and property. He further advised all drivers to avoid over speeding, drinking and driving, driving against traffic, thuggery, violence and other traffic laws violation to avoid sanctions and penalties.
Whenu while assuring the citizenry of the government’s commitment to the development of efficient transport system in the State urged motorist to consider the option of car-pooling, by pairing up with partners of the same destination as a means of reducing numbers of vehicles on the roads, adding that the State’s high capacity buses are also available for public use.
Advising motorists to adhere strictly to Covid-19 protocols and safety guidelines especially at this yuletide season, the Permanent Secretary urged residents to support the State Government to achieve the much-desired progress in the transportation sector.
Whenu explained that in line with the State Government’s mandate to ease citizenry mobility through inter-modal transportation, the first phase of the Lagos rail, that is the blue line project from Marina to Mile 2 and Oyingbo to Alagbado would be completed and delivered for operations in 2022, as well as the Redline which will share the standard gauge track of the Federal Government Lagos-Ibadan will connect Alagbado to Oyingbo.
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