Regional Ferry Safety Conference Opens in Lagos With Focus On Innovation , Collaboration

By Victor Ijezie

 

The Lagos State Government has clamoured for a regional ferry services across the West and Central Africa sub region of the continent .

Dr. Obafemi Hamzat, Deputy Governor of Lagos State, who delivered a compelling keynote address on Wednesday , June 25 2025, at the Regional Ferry Safety Conference hosted by the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), emphasized the critical importance of the conference, highlighting the need for a robust and safe ferry transportation system to serve Lagos’s population of over 25 million people.

The two days event with the theme: Strengthening Regional Collaboration for Safer Ferry Operations, the conference, held in Lagos, brought together stakeholders from across West and Central Africa to discuss and advance ferry safety standards in the region.

Hamzat warmly welcomed participants to Lagos, describing the city as Nigeria’s vibrant commercial hub known for its innovation and diversity.

He noted that “Ferry transportation is essential for urban mobility, tourism, and economic connectivity,” Hamzat stated. “However, as we expand our waterways infrastructure, we must uphold rigorous, enforceable, and technologically advanced safety standards. This requires a unified regional approach, and Lagos is ready to lead.”

The Deputy Governor outlined Lagos State’s significant investments in ferry safety, including modern jetties, ferry terminals, digital monitoring systems, and capacity-building initiatives.

 

He noted the deployment of patrol and rescue boats, state-of-the-art safety equipment, and the establishment of the Inland Waterways Monitoring and Data Management Centre. Additionally, he highlighted the introduction of the locally built Omi Bus standard ferries as a step toward enhancing regional capabilities.

Recognizing ferry safety as a regional imperative, Hamzat called for collaboration among West and Central African states to develop common safety frameworks, share data, standardize training, and adopt innovative technologies such as GPS, radar, automation, and advanced ship designs.

“Our waterways must be not only conduits for transportation but also bastions of safety,” he said. “Let this conference catalyze change through partnerships, aligned policies, and actionable solutions that will have a lasting impact.”

Concluding his remarks, Deputy Governor Hamzat reaffirmed Lagos State’s commitment to leading efforts toward efficient, accessible, safe, and sustainable ferry transportation in the region.

On behalf of the Lagos State government and people, he extended gratitude to all participants for their dedication to improving water transportation safety and expressed optimism for productive discussions throughout the conference.

Similarly, the Commissioner of Transport, Mr. Oluwasuen Osiyemi, described the Regional Ferry Safety Conference as symbolic adding that ” Our shared commitment to achieving safer, more innovative, and sustainable ferry operations across our region.

“Your presence here today serves as a testament to the significance of our mission.
Today, we stand at a defining moment between aspiration and responsibility. Water transportation has evolved from a supporting role in our mobility narrative to a vital pillar of our urban transit systems.

“With the rapid population growth in coastal cities across Africa, ferry services have become not just an option but a necessity. The urgency of this cause is undeniable.

In Lagos, we have experienced this transformation firsthand. Under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and through the visionary initiatives of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), we have redefined the possibilities on our inland waterways. Through enhanced investments in terminals and jetties, digital monitoring systems, the distribution of life jackets, and strict safety protocols, safety has emerged as the cornerstone of our water transport reforms.

 

“It is essential to recognize that maritime safety is not a destination but rather a continuous journey—one that demands collaboration, innovation, and vigilance. Each of us plays a vital role in this journey.
Our gathering today, comprising government agencies, private operators, industry regulators, international partners, and technical experts, conveys a powerful message about the importance of collaboration.