Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has reiterated his government’s commitment to transforming Lagos waterways. He recently revealed that the plan remains to transform the waterways from mere geographical features into vital corridors of economic opportunity and sustainable transportation.
Speaking while he led other dignitaries to officially inaugurate the E410 million Euro, 78 electric ferry service, tagged: “Omi Eko Project,” he insisted that Lagos State is more than ready to lead Africa in urban waterways.
According to him, as the Governor of a state whose rhythm has been defined by water for several decades, he intends to keep writing the story of Lagos on water.
“For centuries, water has defined the rhythm of Lagos. From the bustling trade canoes of our ancestors to the ferries that glide across our lagoon today, our story has always been written on water.
But history is not just what we inherit; it is also what we choose to create,” he said.
Describing the “Omi Eko Project” as a huge statement of intent, he noted that the initiative represents Lagos’ commitment to leading the continent in developing a sustainable, connected, and future-oriented water transportation system.
He concluded by saying that the project would help to ease traffic congestion and decrease carbon emissions across the state.
“This is not just a project unveiling. It is a comprehensive, future-oriented blueprint that merges technology, environmental stewardship and smart design to create waterways that are not just navigated but optimized.
The OMI-EKO Project is a comprehensive, future-oriented blueprint for sustainable mobility in Lagos. It merges technology, environmental stewardship, and smart design to create waterways that are not just navigated — but optimized.
This is what cities around the world are doing to confront the twin challenges of urban population growth and climate change. But Lagos is not waiting to catch up. Lagos is setting the pace.
Today, with the launch of the OMI-EKO Project, we choose to create history anew.
This is not just a project unveiling; it is a bold statement — that Lagos will lead Africa in building a sustainable, connected, and forward-thinking water transportation ecosystem.
Our goal is simple yet profound: To make movement seamless. To make the air cleaner. To transform waterways from barriers of separation into corridors of opportunity.
As we say in Yoruba, “Omi ni ìyè” — water is life. It nourishes us, shapes our identity, and now, it will carry us into the future,” he added.
