Lagos to get 75 electric-powered vessels, upgrade 25 ferry terminals
Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George, flanked by the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Budget, Mr. Lekan Balogun (right) and the Coordinating Director, Lagos State Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Emmanuel Olajide (left) during the Badagry Division of the Lagos Y2025 Budget Consultative forum, held at Makanjuola Auditorium in LASU, Ojo Campus.
The Lagos government has reaffirmed its commitment to the call of the people at the just concluded Y2025 budget consultative forum.
The forum was held in the five divisions of the state for five days: Ikeja, Badagry, Ikorodu, Lagos Island and Epe, with the final stage hosted at the Makanjuola Auditorium, Lagos State University, LASU, Ojo campus in Badagry division.
Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ope George reaffirming government’s commitment to improving welfare of the populace said “we are not oblivious of the fact that we need to upscale constantly, understand what it is we need to do.
“In the 2024 budget, we looked at social protection so we invested in it. We were mindful of it when we were making the budget for Y2024. We also know that we would carry on in the 2025 budget.
“As a responsible government that has the interest of its people at heart, we know providing for them goes beyond infrastructure hence the inclusion of social protection in the last year’s budget and we will continue to look at that.
While revealing the status of some of the state government’s plans and programmes, Mr. Georgestated that “the €410 million secured funding for the ‘Omi Eko’ project is planned towards the development of the blue economy. It aims to integrate road, rail and water transport systems, for a seamless, affordable, and sustainable commuting experience.
“The project aims to decarbonize public transportation through the development of mass public inland waterways transport (IWT) with electric ferries (e-ferries).
“It would involve the upgrading of 25 ferry terminals and jetties, the acquisition of 75 electric-powered vessels as well as 15 ferry routes cutting across the Lagos lagoon,” he stated.
Appreciating the state’s government initiative of bringing residents to contribute in the budget planning process, stakeholders called for more government provisions and intervention in the Badagry division.
Traditional rulers at the forum lent their voices, requesting the government’s intervention to some germane issues such as building of public toilets to tackle open defecation which would also serve as means of employment. They raised the issue of Climate change effect as it robs the health of the people, noting that it would require the government to build more healthcare facilities.
The Olu of Iwa and Apapa Kingdom, Oba Moroof Atanda Amodu-Tijani Oluwa said “the budget consultation is a very good initiative by the Lagos Government. Before, it was in only three divisions, but now in the traditional IBILE divisions.
“I will reiterate that one of the things bothering Lagos is the issue of cholera. The cause is not too far-fetched, we don’t have public toilets. Our bridges have turned to where people defecate and urinate, open defecation for that matter which is appalling.”
The Oba appealed to the government to look into re-engagement of health officials like the ‘wole woles’ to avoid further consequences of cholera. He added that ‘so much revenue can be generated from building public toilets and, as well, creating employment opportunities.’
Oba Onilogbo of Ilogbo-Eremi Kingdom, Oba Moses Olaleye said: ”Climate change has already started to cause problems for us, it is already affecting our health which ultimately will make the government spend more money on health facilities.
“Some of us (traditional rulers) will try to be ambassadors for those who are advocating that we must take care of the climate. It is deteriorating daily and there are some simple things that we can do to ameliorate the situation, which is tree planting.”
