With no fewer than seven newly-commissioned jetties lying idle across Lagos, boat operators and associations have begun lobbying and negotiating with the state government for the concessioning of these jetties to them to run on behalf of the state government.
Recall that recently, the Lagos State Government began the inauguration of seven jetties across various riverine communities in the state. The jetties include: Ilashe jetty, Amuwo-Odofin; Ijegun Egba terminal, Amuwo-Odofin; Marina jetty Badagry; Isalu Ajido jetty Badagry; Offin jetty Ikorodu; Ito Omu jetty Epe; and Liverpool terminal Apapa.
A statement issued by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) noted that the inauguration of the jetties is part of efforts to promote the use of Water Transport in Lagos State, which is in line with the THEMES agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s administration.
But, findings by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that associations of boat operators such as: Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATAN), Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria Waters (WABOTAN), Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) as well as individual boat operators have begun to lobby the state government for approval to operate the jetty under a concession agreement.
Our correspondent who visited the Liverpool Jetty in Apapa recently observed that the newly- commissioned jetty is still under lock and key as boat operators are currently still using the dilapidated jetty directly under the bridge.
Asides the ongoing heavy landscaping and construction under the popular Liverpool market, the bridge where the Jetty is located still remains a den of prostitution, pilfering and other nefarious acts.
In a chat with the National Public Relations Officer of WABOTAN, Chief Raymond Gold, he confirmed that his association is in talks with the state government to seek control and management of the newly-commissioned jetties across the state.
Reacting to the deplorable state and the nefarious activities at the Liverpool Jetty, Chief Gold noted that such nefarious acts are associated with public and populous places in Lagos. He however stated that there has been improvement in sanitation and waste disposal around the jetty.
According to him, there is adequate provision for toilet facilities and waste disposal for biodegradable and non-biodegradable waste which can be used to generate biogas, a source of clean energy compared to fossil fuel.
In his words: “Jetties are good, they contribute a lot to the environment. There are people who want to travel by water, but the Jetty they want to pass through is not encouraging. But with a hold structure like what is there at Liverpool, it puts a good feeling for those who are using that Jetty. It had just been commissioned; we look towards more improvements from what it has been.
“As an association, we are approaching the relevant authorities for one partnership or the other towards putting it into better use. A concessionaire kind of arrangement is fine and we have written to that effect. We are always looking at ways of improving and driving traffic to the place. Our association is committed to making the inland waterways a sustainable alternative from the challenges on the roads”.
“From the discussions, I have had with those who are in charge of the place, there will be a waste dump where biodegradable waste will be kept on one side and non-bio-gradable waste such as kegs, bottles and aluminum cans for drinks will be kept in another container for easy disposal. These non-biogradable wastes can be put into more meaningful use. That is where we get bio-gas, a source of clean energy compared to fossil fuel. I think these issues are being looked at and taken care of by stakeholders”, Gold concluded.
On his part, the Liverpool Unit Chairman of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Comrade Ayeyemi Omosuyi told our correspondent that the Liverpool jetty as well as other jetties are still currently locked and non-functional, since they have been commissioned.
Omosuyi however solicited that the facilities of the jetty should be given to the Maritime Workers Union to manage, even as he boasted of the capability to manage the facilities.
Speaking further, he lamented that the fuel subsidy has greatly affected water transportation business and many of their customers have decided to opt in for road transportation asides those who stay in riverine areas. He specifically noted that they usually load about 10 to 15 boats daily, but it has drastically dropped to three and to five.
“The Jetty has been opened, but it has not been handed over to anybody. It is currently locked up. This applies to not only Liverpool but including Ijegun and Badagry. Since they have commissioned them, it has not yet been handed over to anybody. They have just been just as they were before.
“They have started building these Jetties since 2021. We want the Lagos State government to hand over to the boat operators that have been existing there. Not only Liverpool but including other Jetties, so that we would be the ones to be running it and then report back to the government. We know that they spent money to build the facility so they should hand it over to us so that we remit a token to the government.
“The fuel subsidy has affected us and also our passengers. Before we used to load about 10 to 15 boats daily from Liverpool. But now it has been reduced to three to five boats. This is because of the high cost of fuel. Passengers now prefer to go through road transport because before we did collect N2500 from Liverpool to Badagry but now we are collecting N3500”, Omosuyi noted.