The Lagos State Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa, has urged Lagos residents to embrace ferry services as an alternative means of transportation during the ongoing repairs of the Third Mainland Bridge.

Opeifa said that water transportation has became imperative in the movement of people and goods from Mainland to the Island, following anticipated traffic gridlock during the bridge's repairs.

He said that the waterways or ferry services were also safe and quicker means of transportation.

“The waterway transport is now better and safer managed by the Lagos State Waterway Authority (LASWA),” he said.

Opeifa also said that ferry services from the Ogudu Jetty would complement transportation in the state during the repairs.

He said that the Ogudu jetty has been opened for ferry services, in spite of the fact that it has not been inaugurated.

According to him, Lagos waterways had been adequately dredged for smooth ride and the necessary safety regulations had been put in place.

“We have adequately dredged the waterways for easy and smooth ride and safety regulations have been put in place,” he said.

Opeifa said also that motorists should park their cars at home to ride in either the ferries or the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and LAGBUS buses to help in reducing traffic on the roads.

The Managing Director of LASWA, Mr Adeyinka Marinho, also said that many ferry operators were partnering with LASWA towards leveraging the transport needs of Lagos residents.

 Marinho said that LASWA has the capacity to move many people during the repairs, stressing that it would be an avenue for people to appreciate water transportation in Lagos and the level of investment already put into it by the government.