The recently inaugurated executives of the Ikorodu Chamber of Commerce and Industry, ICCI has landed a major partnership deal with the Lagos State government, through the Lagos State Ministry of Water Front.
The partnership, when formally consummated will empower the ICCI to assume responsibility for the management of the newly completed Baiyeku ferry jetty in Igbogbo-Baiyeku LCDA of the division.
This offer was made by the Chamber at its 12th Business Luncheon held on Friday, 14th December, 2018 at the Gbadamosi Hall of the Ikorodu town hall complex.
The lecture theme for the Luncheon; ‘Involvement of ICCI in the Development of Ferry Services in Ikorodu Division’ was addressed by the Commissioner for Water Front, Mr Samuel Adejare, who was ably represented by a Director in the ministry, Engr Balogun.
The Commissioner, in his presentation commended the Chamber for the appropriateness of the theme for the luncheon. He revealed, to the chagrin of participants that, ‘over seven million Lagosians hustle and bustle across the city on a daily basis, with over 90% of them travelling by road’.
This, according to him has led to avoidable traffic gridlocks and massive loss of manhour on Lagos roads on a daily basis, hence the need for the development of the ferry transport services, as an alternative to road transportation.
To address this negative development, Mr Adejare disclosed that, ‘Lagos State Government has set herself an objective of becoming the ‘Preferred business hub in Africa’, grow her economy and transform Lagos into a Smart Mega City. In achieving this objective, a functional, reliable, efficient and effective transportation system is crucial’, he said.
He also revealed that the government has identified about 30 ferry routes across the state, with about twenty of the routes fully dredged and ready for water transportation. He added that, two of these routes are in Ikorodu division.
Stressing the importance of the ferry transport service business, Engr Balogun noted that, ‘presently, a trip between Ikorodu and Ebute Ero on water takes an average of 24 minutes at N600.00 only, while the same rip takes an average of two hours by road at N300.00, depending on the traffic situation’.
According to Engr Balogun, Ikorodu is the second most populous local government and fastest growing exurb in Lagos State, with a population of over 2 Million residents. He therefore challenged the division to take advantage of its vantage position in the state by investing in her natural endowment and as such should be in the forefront of harnessing maximum potential from her abundant waterways.
The commissioner concluded his presentation by exposing his guests to the massive business opportunities available in the ferry transportation business in the state, viz, ferry terminal management, ferry boat services and car park management, thereby urging the Chamber to key into the state government’s water transportation policy, by investing in the sector.
The Chamber, through the duo of Prof Kunle Ade Wahab and Chief Tele Oduloye formally requested the approval of the state government for the Chamber to handle the management of the newly completed Baiyeku jetty. The director, Engr Balogun assured the Chamber of his ministry’s commitment towards ensuring the approval of the Chamber’s request, once the proposal is received.
Earlier, in his welcome address, President of ICCI, Engr HOB Lawal traced the history of water transportation in Ikorodu division to the pre-colonial era, when there was no link road between Ikorodu and other parts of Lagos State. He however lamented a situation where such budding sector was neglected by successive governments shortly after roads and bridges were constructed.
Engr Lawal also congratulated the State government on the completion of the Baiyeku jetty, noting that the theme for the Chamber’s 12th Business Luncheon, ‘Involvement of ICCI in the Development of Ferry Services in Ikorodu Division’ was premised on the newly completed jetty.
‘The choice of this topic is not only premised on the newly completed jetty at Baiyeku, by the Lagos State Government, it is also based on our conviction that, neither the private sector nor the public sector can deliver the State’s aspiration alone’ he noted.
The luncheon was graced by notable Ikorodu based business men, women and investors across different sectors of the economy.
