A 3-day retreat was organized by the Management of Lagos State Ferry Services, (LAGFERRY) for its staff with the theme: Leveraging Waterways Assets for improved Revenue Performance on the 17th-19th of August 2024 at Festival Hotel, Festival mall Amuwo Odofin, Festac-Town Lagos.
The Managing Director of the State Agency, Hon AbdoulBaq Ladi Balogun in his welcome address called on the staff to be more efficient and put in their best to improve revenue generation and emphasized the importance of the retreat, most especially with the newly introduced Lagos Revenue Portal, by the state government, urging the staff to key into the initiative in deepening the revenue of the agency.
He said that the retreat was an avenue to brainstorm on strategies needed for deepening revenue generation and also noted that “the process of generating revenue in Lagos state has changed drastically, so we have to look for where the money is and bring it to the coffers of the Lagos State Government and we have to block all the loopholes, it’s a serious business because revenue drives everything about government activities, if you want light, road, education, everything without revenue the government cannot do anything”.
The former State Lawmaker said the agency is working hard to achieve its core mandate, stating that the agency is doing more to decongest the roads through the waterways.
He stated that the agency is engaging more in advocacy and confidence building among the people on the essence and benefits of using the waterways for businesses and mobility.
He explained that with the existence of 20 boats, the agency has been able to commute two million people since its inception in 2020.
The LAGFERRY Boss said the State cannot rely on one mode of transportation considering its large population, adding that waterways had contributed immensely in reducing pressure on road transportation and that the agency has also helped in moving businesses on the waterways.
Speaking further, Balogun said the integration of the transportation system in Lagos had helped in boosting the local economy and make life ease for the people, stating that the multimodal transportation system is functional, purposeful and that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu is intentional about integrating the transportation system.
He added that more private sector operators had shown interest in the waterways transportation, adding the State is doing everything to harness the blue economy for local economic development.
Representing the Commissioner of Transport in Lagos state Mr Seun Osiyemi, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry Mr. Maruf Olawale emphasized on the advantages of Waterways system due to its safety, fastness and effectiveness.
He said it is safer to be on the waterways than on the road. He urged LAGFERRY to continue to improve on their relationship with the Passengers. He added that the agency would ensure blockage of all revenue leakages so as to improve in performance, adding that the retreat was an avenue to brainstorm on strategies needed for deepening revenue generation.
Integrated of the Waterways with other mode of transportation system was also emphasized by the Permanent Secretary.
In his remark the Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Taxation and Revenue Mr. Abdul-Kabir Opeyemi Ogungbo shed more light on the importance of tapping on the opportunity of Blue economy of about 1.7 trillion dollars per year.
He also emphasized on the advantage of Waterways transport over other means of transportation system in Lagos state.
He said performance is the Key, LAGFERRY with an increase of about 4 boats to increase the agency’s boats currently to 17.
The Special Adviser on Revenue and Taxation said there should be an increase in revenue. He however promised to assists the LAGFERRY in every area possible.
