flags off new routes
By: Cliffsimeon Akalonu
The National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA), has made a strategic response to the partial closure of the iconic third mainland bridge for repairs in Lagos and had deployed forty feet floating jetties to help bring water transportation services close to commuters through out the six months repairs duration of the bridge.
According to a Press release signed by the Lagos Area Manager, Engr. Sarat Lara Briamah; the floating jetties are to compliment the flagging off of four brand new water transportation routes located at Adekunle, under the Third Mainland Bridge outward Oworoshonki from Yaba, at Lekki phase one by NIWA Police post, Oyingbo and at oworoshonki, inbound the island.
She disclosed that as at Friday, two of the four new routes, at Adekunle (Yaba) and Lekki phase one were opened for immediate operation, while the remaining two at Oworoshonki and Oyingbo will be put to use after minor dredging of the waterfront ambiance.
The effort which is subject to review through out the duration of repairs on third mainland bridge, was in response to bring succour to over 33 thousand commuters who ply the all important link bridge in and out of the island to work and other sundry businesses.
“She explained while Flagging off the routes in Lagos on Friday that, “This alternate transportation services certainly will help reduce traffic flow, save users of the bridge expected stress, loss of valuable man hour and to ease vehicular movement of goods and services out of the island, not foreclosing the health benefits of using water transportation.
Engineer Briamah noted that the intervention by NIWA, was well thought out as the effort will not only to bring water transportation services closer to Lagos communities but will provide the needed data for initiating a blanket floating jetty projects across the vast Lagos inland waterways, under the watch of national inland waterways authority to operationalize a revolution on water transportation as a solution to the unexplainable traffic situation in Lagos.
She said, “Our managing Director, Dr George Moghalu, mandated us in Lagos to be futuristic and proactive in the discharge of our obligations and of an inclusive response to the challenge of the partial closure of the bridge but to also holistically chart a new agenda in opening up certain waterfront areas, deploying floating jetties not just about temporary response but as strategic plan to make every part of Lagos accessible by water and provide roads on water.
The NIWA boss in Lagos, noted that security will be provided round the clock at the identified take off points by NIWA police and sister security agencies while the organised boat operators in Lagos will man the daily operation at the new jetties.
“We are collaborating with the Lagos chapter of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) and their Chairman, Mr Saheed Lawal, who assured of a hundred percent buy-in on this project” .
Engineer Briamah further explained that, all categories of water transportation services will be monitored to avoid any mishap or sharp practices.
She stated that, “We are determined to make it work despite lean resources at a time like this and we expect Lagosians to embrace the effort by making the new routes popular.
We have done radio jingle like wise, printed hands bills to be distributed at strategic points to motorists and other commuters who will be encouraged to park their vehicles either at home or at the designated jetty areas and take to the waters for ease of doing business even after the bridge is fully opened to capacity operations.
Already, the big boat transportation services outfits such as Tarzan boats, Texas Connection, sea lift and Seacoach, have signified readiness to deploy their boats to boost the niwa initiative.