As part of continued efforts to decongest the road and increase the number of water transport commuters, the Lagos State Government has kickstarted a raffle promo tagged “Sailing and Smiling” where commuters stand to win lots of prizes as they purchase Lagos Ferry Services (LAGFERRY) tickets.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo, to kick start the promo, the Managing Director, LAGFERRY, Mr. Ladi Balogun, explained that the mega promo which was initiated in conjunction with a private firm, Elivate9ja and supported by Coscharis Group, Samsung and others, was designed to attract more commuters to embrace the waterways and reward loyal patronage.
He said, “As you are all aware we recently took delivery of seven additional new boats to increase our fleet to 20. These boats will be deployed to several routes within the State. We will now have the capacity to ferry more people so we decided to use this promo as an incentive to attract more Lagosians to embrace a means of transportation that is safe, fast, devoid of traffic and very reliable”.
Balogun, who also used the opportunity to reel out some of the agency achievements in the last one year, informed that LAGFERRY has moved about 520, 000 passengers across the waterways between February 2020 and now.
“Since the commencement of operations, the Agency has never recorded any accident. We are enabling commerce by providing logistics solution to business owners moving their trucks and cargoes through the waterways within Apapa. We are the only operator that can boast of having 20 boats in its fleet, thanks to Mr. Governor who is showing an unrivalled commitment to improving water transportation”, he stated
The Managing Director also averred that LAGFERRY is also promoting tourism through regular charter services and had recently ferried Nigeria male soccer team, the Super Eagles, to Benin Republic for their AFCON qualification game.
In his goodwill message, the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, commended the collaboration of both the Public and Private sector on the promo, adding that no single sector could harness its potentials alone.
While noting that the present administration is committed to the intermodal transport system of road, rail and water, he stressed that payment for all the transport systems have been digitalised through the Cowry Card.
Also speaking, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Elivate 9JA, Mr. George Ogan, said the partnership would bring excitement for ferry users, through the buying of LAGFERRY tickets, which will enable the passengers to qualify for the raffle draw.
While pointing out that a lot of prizes such as microwaves, washing machines, television sets and cars would be won during the raffle draw, Ogan disclosed that there would be refreshments for early passengers of LAGFERRY during the period as well.
Other dignitaries in attendance at the event include the General Manager, Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, Mr. Afolabi Solebo; the representative of the Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority and Senior Legal Officer, Oyinkan Kusamotu among others.