Many years after the jetties plying the route were rested, Lagosians can look to a cruise across the lagoons again as plans are being concluded for the resumption of the Mile 2-CMS voyage, which remains a hub in Lagos’ unfolding inter-modal transportation system.
The planned resumption of the Mile 2-CMS (Marina) ferry service will be a major boost to the state’s water transportation service whose current contribution to the overall transportation system of the state is below 10 percent despite the huge water bodies surrounding the commercial city.
CityFile recalls that on Monday July 4, 1983, two commercial passenger boats were inaugurated to mark the official launching of the Lagos State ferry services. The then governor, Lateef Jakande, commissioned the boats that were named ‘Baba Kekere’ and ‘Itafaji’ to run the Mile 2-Marina (CMS) route via the lagoons. The idea was to reduce travel time as well as ease off traffic that was beginning to gain prominence on Lagos roads, with increasing human population, and, of course, utilise the waterways.
The ferry service was however rested late 1990s as the old fleet could not be replaced. Today, the population of the state having soared to an estimated 17 million people, with traffic congestion said to be costing the economy an estimated N42 billion annually, and with the roads in terrible conditions, the need for the effective utilisation of the waterways is even more compelling.
Realising this, the state government has been making efforts to repair old jetties as well as build new ones in what will see it integrating road, rail and waterways in moving Lagosians comfortably, faster, safer as obtained in Europe and other developed climes. Licences have been granted to private sector operators to offer commercial ferry services on some routes. Such services are already operational from Ikorodu to Ebutte-Ero on Lagos Island and Badore in Ajah area.
A number of other routes have also been identified. They include Ikorodu – Marina (north direct line), Ebutte-Ojo (LASU) to Marina via Satellite Town (Ijegun Egba) (west line), and Ijede-Badore to Marina via Lekki and Falomo (east line). Plans are being firmed up to further develop infrastructure using a public private partnership (PPP) delivery strategy, whereby the government finances infrastructure provision such as jetties and landings, car parks, access roads, while the private sector provides and operates ferry services to approved specifications.
In all of these, one notable route that had been lying fallow is the Mile 2-CMS route, from where the ferry service was launched in 1983. However, after a long wait, the cheering news finally came on Tuesday by Governor Babatunde Fashola announced that plans are almost concluded to resume operation on this route. Fashola told the crowd who gathered at the premises of the Lagos Television in Ikeja, on the occasion of his 2,100 days in office, that six boats in old Jakande fleet are being refurbished to commence the long rested operation.
“In the area of public transportation, apart from road construction that is progressing across the state, our jetties for water transportation are coming to completion.
I can report from my inspection of the Mile 2 Jetty that the work is virtually completed save for the fuel dump and the rehabilitation of 6 boats expected to be completed in this year and full services should soon be restored to this route. Progress is also being made on the Osborne Jetty while the Badore Terminal should be handed over by April 2013,” Fashola said.
A visit to the Mile 2 jetty on Wednesday showed that work had been completed on the waiting hall which wears a new look.
James Babalola, a resident of Jakande Mile 2 Estate, who spoke to Cityfile, speaking with excitement, said the planned resumption of Mile – CMS/Marina ferry service is a welcome development, as it will bring a lot of relief to commuters from the Mile 2 axis entering the Lagos Island. “We commend this decision and pray the government will make haste about it,” Babalola said.
