The Lagos state Waterways Authority (LASWA) has said the state has nothing to generate as income from the recent Uber/LASWA boat partnership.
Recall that Uber an American multinational ridesharing company offering services that include peer-to-peer ridesharing and ride service, recently launched a boat service in Lagos in conjunction with Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
The Public Relations officer of LASWA, Mrs. Nkechi Ajayi told our correspondent the state had to partner Uber for the boat service, and that it is part of the Governor’s journey to awaken a greater Lagos following the six pillars of Development Agenda, ‘THEMES’ for the state.
She informed that the deployment of technology in the Water transportation sector will make Lagos a Smart City thereby setting a new bar in the nation in the quest for traffic management and road decongestion.
She further explained that the Uber boat would be deploying and branding 2 already registered boats on the waterways for 10 working days from 11th to 25th October, 2019, adding that the boats will be commuting from 7am-8am morning rush and 4pm-5pm evening rush.
In her words “The Uber boat would be deploying and branding two already registered boats (40 and 60 seater boats) on the waterways for 10 working days from 11th to 25th October, 2019, and the boats will be commuting from 7am-8am morning rush and 4pm-5pm evening rush.
“This product allows a technology-enabled request for boat rides via the Uber App and the trips would be subsidized for the passengers.
“Uber would be providing safety jackets for the passengers and safety nodes would be deployed in the Uber App to report all trips in case of emergencies. Finally, two operational/safety personel would be present in the boats while these trips are being made”.
She said Governor Sanwo-olu who spoke at the unveiling of the project, said 1/3 of Lagos State is filled with water waiting to be explored, while loads of pressure is put on the roads, and that with technology like this, among other infrastructural developments, upgrades and synergies the sector is presently experiencing, citizens would be encouraged to ride on water as the state strive to build intermodal transportation and improve road connectivity.
When asked about how the state intends to generate income via the partnership, she simply responded that the state government is not generating anything from the partnership.
Discussion about this post