DEVELOPMENT OF FERRY SERVICES IN THE LAGOS METROPOLITAN AREA

Lagos metropolitan area is by far the largest and most complex urban area in Nigeria and, in economic terms, it is pre-eminent. With about 17.8 million inhabitants, Lagos is also one of the largest cities of the world, and its population is growing rapidly at a rate of nearly 6% per annum. It contains the largest manufacturing sector and provides employment for over 45% of the skilled manpower of the country.

The poor condition of the road network and of the public transport system affects severely the development of the city and the working and living conditions of the population, particularly the poorer part of it. A lack of adequate infrastructural expansion over the years to cope with the increasing population has resulted in heavy traffic congestion within the city. Traveling within Lagos takes double and sometime triple the normal time, adversely affecting economic development and quality of life.

To address this problem, there is need to diversify Lagos transport modes and encourage modal choice for passengers. Water transportation is a realistic and potentially effective option given that Lagos is blessed with abundant water bodies that could be harnessed to offer fast, safe, comfortable and cheaper water transportation services.

In comparison with other major urban developments near or situated close to the sea and/or riverine and lagoon systems, the percentage of water transportation in the overall matrix of transports modes for Lagos State is well below 1%. Other cities like London, Rotterdam, Hong Kong, Bangkok, Melbourne, Sydney, New York, etc. have a well established water transportation system, which roughly amounts to 5-10% of the overall commuter traffic flows.

The state government has therefore made it its policy to develop, very rapidly, commuter water transportation routes in the state to arrest the decline in the quality of life in Lagos and sustain economic development in the state and ultimately the country.

The routes are to be developed using a Public Private Partnership (PPP) delivery strategy, whereby the public sector (LAMATA on behalf of the state) finances infrastructure provision (jetties and landings, car-parks, access roads etc) whilst the private sector provides and operates ferry services to specifications to be provided by LAMATA.

The Proposed Water Transportation Routes

A detailed feasibility study of the development of ferry services is underway (by Royal Haskoning Ltd) in order to achieve the development and implementation of a detailed strategic plan for improving the use of waterways of Metropolitan Lagos for transport services, including establishing, formulating and implementing an appropriate regulatory framework, promotion of scheme for the encouragement of private sector participation in the provision of commuter water transport services.

Seven main routes have been identified for development (see figure 1(Please create a hyperlink with the map)) of which 3 routes and the Marina terminal are earmarked as priority (create hyperlink to figure 2). The priority routes are;

* Ikorodu to Marina (North Direct Line)
* Ebutte Ojo (LASU) to Marina via Satellite Town (Ijegun Egba) (West Line) and
* Ijede-Badore to Marina via Lekki and Falomo (East Line)

There is also a plan to develop Osborne and turn it into a major terminal Interchange. (create hyperlink to the Osborne Interchange plan)

http://www.lamata-ng.com/images/water_routes.jpg
Proposed Water Commuter Routes

http://www.lamata-ng.com/images/water_routes_priority.jpg
The 3 routes earmarked as Priority


Repairs and Spot Improvements to Terminals and Waterways

One of the major constraints on existing and potential water transport services is the inadequacy in the provision of safe and attractive terminal facilities. LAMATA is therefore embarking on spot improvements along some routes to help shorten and /or make water commuting safer. The objectives of the Repairs and Spot Improvements to Terminals and Waterways are as follows;

* Repairs or provision of water transport terminal/Interchange infrastructure that is safe for communities heavily dependent on water transport
* Spot improvements along some routes.
* To improve water safety and make it more attractive to users.

Presently, LAMATA has almost completed the rehabilitation of two jetties; Agboyi-Ketu jetty in Oriade Local Council Development Area of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area and Ijegun-Egba jetty in Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area in Kofose Local Government Area of Lagos State. The rehabilitation works includes installation of sheet piles, construction of waiting shelters, electrification of the jetty area, resurfacing of access roads and provision of required traffic system measures amongst other things.

http://www.lamata-ng.com/images/old_agboyi-ketu_jetty.jpg
Old Agboyi-Ketu jetty

http://www.lamata-ng.com/images/new_agboyi-ketu_jetty.jpg
Agboyi-Ketu jetty after rehabilitation by LAMATA

Also, LAMATA has engaged a contractor to rehabilitate additional two jetties at Epeme and Iya-Afin, both at Badagry Local Government. Work on these jetties will commence shortly.

www.lamata-ng.com


WOW:banana::banana::banana::banana::banana::banana:

Some boats have already been bought and some world class jetties are UC.

Some boats have already been bought and some world class jetties are UC.

If you have a picture of them, kindly post

I saw a photo on happylagosianblog... but as i was told, that site cannot be trusted

http://happylagosian.blogspot.com/2009/05/revolution-continues.html

The picture looks trustworthy

The Ferry

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_bDcpR_wJ7hk/Sf5E6YoCN7I/AAAAAAAAAUw/spdbbp0wOLI/s1600-h/project_lagos1.gif

LOL. Those lil ass boats aint gonna get it. :lol: I was expecting to see something more like the NYC ferries.

http://www.worldshipny.com/ferry2.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/152445958_498c412c95.jpg

LOL. Those lil ass boats aint gonna get it. :lol: I was expecting to see something more like the NYC ferries.

http://www.worldshipny.com/ferry2.jpg
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/56/152445958_498c412c95.jpg

New York is like the richest city state on planet earth, one step at a time. :)

LOL. Those lil ass boats aint gonna get it. :lol: I was expecting to see something more like the NYC ferries.
Those are not the only ferries in Lagos.

Those little CityLink ferries mainly run between the Islands, but there are bigger ferries (although not as big as NYC or Staten Island ferries), such as those operated by Metro Ferry Marine Services, that run between the Mainland and/or Ikorodu and the Islands.

New York is like the richest city state on planet earth, one step at a time. :)

nope its california

Excuse me , but are these boats shown there a joke? They are no better that "Fixi Express boats that take you to Tarkwa Bay Beach...I was expecting something like New York ferryboats as well!

Excuse me , but are these boats shown there a joke? They are no better that "Fixi Express boats that take you to Tarkwa Bay Beach...I was expecting something like New York ferryboats as well!

The important thing is, its a start. This is an area for the private sector to develop of and not government. If you have enough capital to buy bigger boats and run it at a profit then by all means go ahead. I really don't know who the whining is aimed at. lol.

nope its california

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_cities_by_GDP

They get the third position, looks like Tokyo is number one now.

For some reason, it is just talking too slow, I would love to see an effective connection from Badore to V.I.

For some reason, it is just talking too slow, I would love to see an effective connection from Badore to V.I.
Work at the new modern jetty in Badore, would be capable of berthing ferries of 500-passenger capacity, is nearing completion (see pictures from earlier in the year below).

The Badore Jetty is one of the three new jetties being built by the Lagos State government at a cost of N8.5 billion (the other two are located at Ipakodo and Osborne in Ikoyi), in addition to some old jetties that would be renovated and rehabilitated, under the first phase of the LASG's ferry transportation program.

The ferry transportation program would include the building of modern terminals, as well as the dredging and channellisation of some ferry routes. These include Ikorodu - Badore, via Oreta, Baiyeku and Ijede; Ikorodu - Osborne; Badore - Lekki/VI; Oke Afa - Mile 2; Tolu/Ajegunle - Port Novo creek - Liverpool; and the planned repairs of Epeme and Iya Afin jetties.

http://www.lagosindicatoronline.com/images/ajah_badore2.gif

^^ Thanks, good info. Looks like Fashola's intermodal transportation plan is well thought out and is being deliberately implemented. This is really the only way to go about solving one of Lagos' most daunting challenge.

Work at the new modern jetty in Badore, would be capable of berthing ferries of 500-passenger capacity, is nearing completion (see pictures from earlier in the year below).

The Badore Jetty is one of the three new jetties being built by the Lagos State government at a cost of N8.5 billion (the other two are located at Ipakodo and Osborne in Ikoyi), in addition to some old jetties that would be renovated and rehabilitated, under the first phase of the LASG's ferry transportation program.

The ferry transportation program would include the building of modern terminals, as well as the dredging and channellisation of some ferry routes. These include Ikorodu - Badore, via Oreta, Baiyeku and Ijede; Ikorodu - Osborne; Badore - Lekki/VI; Oke Afa - Mile 2; Tolu/Ajegunle - Port Novo creek - Liverpool; and the planned repairs of Epeme and Iya Afin jetties.

http://www.lagosindicatoronline.com/images/ajah_badore2.gif

Thank you for the info:cheers:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2652/3906624433_541c2a8240_o.jpg

http://i44.tinypic.com/15ryved.jpg

gotta notice all the cranes.

6NLbwrzrpJY&feature=sub




Another means of transportation that is seriously being considered by the Lagos State Government is Water Transportation. It would be recalled that during his gubernatorial campaign, Governor Fashola had promised to make Lagos the ‘Venice of Africa’ by way of taking of Lagos natural endowment, which is water. In pursuit of this course, LAMATA is already working on plans to bring up Ferry Services that would ensure that the interconnecting coastal resources of Lagos are properly utilised as a safe and modern means of transportation.

As a result, 7 main coastal routes have been identified for development of which 3 routes and the Marina terminal are earmarked a priority. The priority routes going by official information from LAMATA are: Ikorodu to Marina (North Direct Line), Ebute Ojo (LASU) to Marina via Satellite Town (Ijegun Egba Westline) and Ijede-Badore to Marina via Lekki and Falomo. There is also a plan to develop Osborne and turn it into a major terminal interchange when the Ferry Service fully takes-off.

Presently, LAMATA has almost completed the rehabilitation of several jetties earmarked for the smooth running of the planned modern Water Transportation system in the State. Nearing completion is the Agboyi Ketu jetty in Oriade Local Council Development Area of Amuwo Odofin, Ijegun Egba Jetty in Agboyi Ketu Local Council Development Area and the newly built Ajah-Badore Jetty in Ibeju-Lekki Local Government Area.

From the Ferry Services plan, areas like Ijede and Igbogbo in Ikorodu are expected to be major beneficiaries as transport links from the area to the Island via Badore in Lekki would not be more than 30minutes. This is expected to have an effect on the property values in the area. Presently a plot of land in Igbogbo and Ijede is still around N500, 000 to N1million. But with the Ferry Service in full operation, property values are expected to rise substantially and begin to compete with an area like Badore which already has land selling for between N3million to N5million. The completion of the fourth mainland bridge is also expected to throw up property prices in these parts of Ikorodu and like earlier predicted; with Ikorodu just a 20 minutes distance from Lekki, who says the gap between property prices would not be bridged by a similar margin.


Click image to enlargeBadagry is also expected to benefit from the Ferry Service operations. Still relatively cheaper than most parts of Lagos, buying a land in Badagry at this time is no doubt a wise decision as prices may begin to jump as soon as traffic time between the ancient town and other parts of Lagos is reduced through an effective multi-modal transport plan which the Lagos State Government obviously is determined to execute. Currently a plot of land in the most developed parts of Badagry is still below N1million and who says Badagry cannot be the next investment destination of choice?

Other parts of Lagos that are to be positively affected by the Ferry Service are Amuwo Odofin, Festac and Satellite Town. Currently, estates in the budget and upper-class regions dot these areas; price of properties may in no time be on the upward swing and buying from such estates at this time should be a wise investment decision. The impact of transport time via the coastal lines to between 15 to 20 minutes cannot be ignored as a determinant of property values.

The rehabilitation works includes installation of sheet piles, construction of waiting shelters, electrification of the jetty areas, resurfacing of access roads and provision of required traffic monitoring measures among other things. To further extend the Ferry Service to extreme parts of Lagos like Badagry, LAMATA is set to rehabilitate additional two jetties at Epeme and Iya Afin both in Badagry Local Government Area.

http://www.castlesweekly.com/ShowArticle.aspx?ID=253&AspxAutoDetectCookieSupport=1

I think more hands of investors are needed in the Nigerian water transportation.

Lagos is better than what I thought in that video.Eye On Lagos did a very good job in that report.I would like to see subsequent videos of this kind done on Lagos city as whole.

yE9AO1OxZQ8