Passengers who patronise water transportation in some part of Lagos state have raised alarm over alleged high charges collected by the private ferry operators, saying it may discourage commuters from using the inland waterways in no distance time.
Some of the passengers who spoke to Shipping Position Daily last week, in Lagos lamented that the charges are not commensurate with the journey, even as they called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to put their own boats in place so as to compete with the private operators.
Passengers who patronise water transportation in some part of Lagos state have raised alarm over alleged high charges collected by the private ferry operators, saying it may discourage commuters from using the inland waterways in no distance time.
Some of the passengers who spoke to Shipping Position Daily last week, in Lagos lamented that the charges are not commensurate with the journey, even as they called on the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) to put their own boats in place so as to compete with the private operators.
Our correspondent who visited the jetty at the popular CMS bus stop at Outer Marina, Lagos last week noticed the presence of two operators, namely: Metro Ferries Limited and Texas Connection Ferries Limited.
The charges according to the operators range from N140 to N600 respectively.
However investigations also revealed that from CMS jetty to Flour Mills in Apapa cost N160 which used to be N70, while from CMS to Ikorodu and back to CMS is N600.
A banker, Mr. Jude Agada told our correspondent that there is the need for government to place ferries to compete favourably with the private operators because it will be cheaper and more affordable when compared to the private operators.
He gave a vivid example of the Bus Rapid Transport system in Lagos, whereby government owned vehicles are cheaper and convenient for passengers compared to the commercial buses that ply the roads in the Lagos metropolis.
He urged the NIWA to provide ferries in Lagos because, according to him, it helps in revenue generation for the government and it will also create jobs for Nigerians.
Agada alleged that the private operators have also lost a large number of people that patronise their ferry.
According to him, his office is strategically close to the jetty otherwise he has the intention of stop patronage of ferries because of the hike in fare.
Another passenger also noted the water transportation from Marina to Apapa has dropped due to the charges by the operators.
The passenger who is also a marketer with an insurance firm added that government need to invest in water transport to make it more competitive, affordable and attractive.
She pointed out that with competition in place, the fare will drop drastically.
Discussion about this post