The Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) held a 3-day management retreat from Friday, 16th August and will be rounding up today Sunday, 18th August, with the theme “Leveraging Waterways Assets for Improved Revenue Performance”. The event, which took place at the Festival Hotel, FESTAC, Lagos, aimed to explore innovative strategies to harness the economic potentials of the Lagos waterways and enhance revenue performance.

In his welcome address, The Managing Director, Hon. Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, highlighted the achievements of LAGFERRY under Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu’s administration. He noted that the agency’s fleet has increased from four to twenty state-of-the-art boats, with over 2 million passengers commuted in the last five years. Additionally, LAGFERRY has expanded its routes from seven to twenty-five, covering all five divisions in the state, and boasts an enviable safety record.

Balogun emphasized the importance of the blue economy, estimated to be worth over $1.5 trillion globally, and Lagos’ potential to benefit from its maritime resources. He stressed LAGFERRY’s role in actualizing and maximizing the economic potentials of the Lagos waterways, citing the agency’s efforts in promoting commerce, logistics, and water tourism.

The Managing Director noted that LAGFERRY has enabled commerce by providing logistics solutions to business owners, such as Dangote Industry, Honeywell, BUA, and Flour Mills of Nigeria, by helping them move their trucks and containers via the waterways.

He also highlighted the agency’s efforts in promoting water tourism through hosting various events like birthdays, weddings, musical shows, and concerts on the waterways.

The retreat aims to unlock economic growth, stimulate job creation, and promote sustainable practices by investing in infrastructure, fostering public-private partnerships, and diversifying the use of waterways for transportation and recreation. The event features versatile resource persons and seeks to chart a course towards a prosperous and sustainable future for Lagos State.

Balogun urged participants to seize the opportunity and explore strategies to boost revenue performance, emphasizing the importance of leveraging waterways assets for improved economic growth.

Mr. Seun Osiyemi, Commissioner of Transportation, Lagos State, represented by Mr. Olawale Musa, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transportation, has emphasized the government’s commitment to improving the efficiency of the state’s transportation agency, particularly in the ferry services sector.

He highlighted the need to increase revenue performance, drive more traffic to the ferries, and boost ridership on boats. He stressed that government involvement in transportation is a social service aimed at ensuring the movement of people and goods, which is vital for economic growth.

Musa noted that the Government’s focus is on the overall effect of transportation on the economy, rather than just the cost. He emphasized the importance of reducing traffic congestion by increasing ridership and encouraging people to use ferry services.

The Permanent Secretary also highlighted the multi-sectoral approach to transportation, involving collaboration between the Ministry of Transportation, Waterfront, and other stakeholders to ensure convenient and efficient transportation services.

Abdukabir Opeyemi Ogungbo, Special Adviser to the Governor of Lagos State on Taxation and Revenue, emphasized the Government’s plan to deepen the integration of the state’s transportation system, with a focus on making lives easier and better for Lagosians.

Ogungbo highlighted the importance of transportation and traffic management, which is the first item on the THEMES Plus agenda of the Governor. He explained that the government is opening up waterways to ensure free and easy travel in Lagos, and that LAGFERRY users will be able to pay for services and view bills through a portal.

Ogungbo emphasized the synergy between the subsystem and the Lagos Revenue Portal (LRP), which aims to make payment processes easier and more efficient. He also stressed the importance of capacity building for LAFFERRY staff to ensure world-class service delivery.

He said the Government is working to address challenges faced by agencies in meeting their targets, including revenue generation. A communique in the form of a deal book will be presented to the Governor, highlighting challenges that require his attention.

Adetutu Oluremi Oshosanya, Permanent Secretary, Parastatal Monitoring Office, Lagos, emphasized the importance of capacity building for LAGFERRY staff to enhance performance and revenue generation through waterway services.

Oshosanya highlighted the need to motivate staff, leverage revenue performance, and build on factors contributing to increased capacity. She stressed the significance of waterway transportation in achieving seamless traffic management and transportation, a key pillar of the THEMES Plus agenda.

The Permanent Secretary noted that the government aims to make waterway services safer, more customer-friendly, and integrated into tourism activities, with potential expansion to West African coastal routes.

Oshosanya also revealed that her agency monitors parastatals and government-owned companies, including LAGFERRY, through various means, including reports, meetings, and on-site assessments. The agency has covered over 40 parastatals and plans to visit LAGFERRY soon to discuss innovative ideas, challenges, and performance enhancement.