Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos state has said that, his administration is committed to easing the movement of goods and services within the metropolis to move the economy of the state forward.
The governor assurances was coming on the heels of the Lagos state’s flag-off of marine tranporation scheme in partnership with Uber Technologies, Inc. an American multinational ridesharing company in the area of marine transportation.
On the state’s future plans, Sanwo-Olu said “We are going to have helicopter shuttle in Lagos. Traffic management and transportation is the pillar of our agenda. The government is entering into the partnership because they want to create an enabling environment for all’’.
Pointing out that the state government is equally committed to other modes of transportation in Lagos; the governor said that, water transportation has come to stay in the state.
Assuring that boat transportation is a safe means of transport; he noted that the state is also mindful of safety and security which is very important in transport business.
Lola Kassim; General Manager West Africa at Uber said that Uber is aware of Lagos state government’s commitments and extremely strong vision to improve transportation and that is why they are partnering with the state.
“It is an exciting day for Uber in Nigeria. We have helped people to get around their cities reliably in the last 5 years. We know that Lagos has extremely strong vision to improve transportation. This is why we have been taking steps to partner the state government to see how we can offer easy transportation. I announce our Uber Boat. This for us is to see how we can use our Uber Technology to help people move from one place to the other”. Kassim said.
Sanwo-Olu who narrated how he mooted the idea of boat transport when he was in the United States few months ago with the top management of Uber, said the initiative will further make the movement of about 10 million to 12 million people that are moved from one place to the other in Lagos State.
Frederic Oladeinde, state commissioner for transportation said that the governor in the last few months has been involved in a lot of developmental projects of which transportation management is part of it.
Stating that the marine transportation system will make Lagos State a world class environment Oladeinde said “In bringing the whole thing together, we will be displaying one of the high technology. Lagos State caters for about 14 million people; water transport is one of the most effective ways of transportation”.
The waterway service, UberBOAT, is operated in partnership with local boat operator Texas Connection Ferries and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
“This initiative is aimed at providing commuters with an easy and affordable way to get in and out of the city’s business districts,” Uber; the ride-hailing firm said in a statement.
The pilot phase will operate on weekdays from 7a.m. to 6 p.m. on a fixed route between two locations in the city.
Passengers will be charged a flat fare of N500 per trip, compared with about 300 naira by minibus operating along the axis within the metropolis.
MIKE OCHONMA
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