Boat Passengers Drag Lagos Over €410m Omi Eko Project

Boat passengers under di United Waterways Passengers Association don raise wahala over di €410m Omi Eko Project, talk say di passenger capacity fit cause gbege for operation. Dem explain say any boat wey carry more than 30 passengers fit delay as operators go dey wait make di boat full before dem fit waka. Dis one come weeks after di Lagos State Government, with foreign partners, launch di €410m project. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu talk say di Omi Eko Project go turn di waterways wey dey separate communities into corridors of opportunity and improve transport system for Lagos. Di €410m project, meaning “Water of Lagos,” dey aimed at creating smart, sustainable, and efficient water mobility system to ease road congestion and promote clean energy and innovation. EU Ambassador Mr. Gautier Mignot talk say di project get EU backing cos e dey align with Abidjan-Lagos Transport Corridor.

Di Special Adviser on Blue Economy, Mr Damilola Emmanuel, add say di project na di biggest inland waterways investment for Africa, wey go deploy over 70 hybrid-electric ferries, upgrade 20 jetties, dredge 15 routes, and train stakeholders. Di boats go start dey arrive by 2027, with capacities of 50, 120, and over 200 passengers. But di Chairman of UWPA, Mr Gbenga Oluwadiya, talk say any boat wey carry more than 30 passengers go fail because e go take time load dem, and passengers no dey involved for di design phase. Im add say people dey used to smaller boats and if dem use big ones, e fit make dem rather waka road. Di President of Barge Operators Association, Mr Olubunmi Olumekan, talk say government suppose fix departure time for boats and increase public awareness, make people know waterways dey safer and cheaper pass road transport.