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Sanwo-Olu Seeks Public-Private Partnership for Waterway Transportation
The Lagos State Government is looking for both public and private sector collaboration to encourage growth and investment in waterways transportation, thereby reducing traffic congestion in the state.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu made the announcement at the Lagos Waterways Investment Summit, which was recently held in Lagos by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
The summit was the first of its kind, organized on behalf of the state government by Future Cities Nigeria (FCN) and LASWA, with the theme ‘Lagos State Transportation: Transformation and Investment Opportunities.’
According to Sanwo-Olu, areas of investment required by the private sector include the provision of water transportation (passengers, cars, and cargo), infrastructure construction and management, technical partnership and consultancy, financing, and logistics provision.
He noted that the state accounted for 40% of Nigeria’s land mass, with lagoons and creeks accounting for the remaining 22%, and that this is why his administration cannot ignore waterways transportation.
Sanwo-Olu, who was represented by Mr. Ope George, Special Adviser, Office of Public-Private Partnership, stated that a successful partnership with the private sector in waterways would result in a positive change in the socio-economic status of the state’s residents.
However, LASWA General Manager, Mr. Damilola Emmanuel, highlighting the state government’s achievement in the waterways, stated that it had access to 15 of the 20 local governments in the waterways.
“The investment opportunities will thus complement the current government’s efforts to combat traffic congestion on the Lagos road,” he said. It will also reduce the amount of time citizens spend commuting, particularly during peak periods.
Meanwhile, Mr. Goerge Moghalu, Managing Director of the National Inland Waterways Authority, urged the state government to work with the federal government on waterway development in the state.
Moghalu stated that the collaboration would focus on safety, sensitization campaigns for boat operators, and the security of waterway users.
He also stated that the state government should collaborate with the NIWA in order to avoid multiple taxes on boat operators.
