Yomi Durojaye
The Lagos State Government has encouraged and announced plans to commission 10 new ferries to enhance water transportation and support the state’s socio-economic development.
This was stated yesterday at the event tagged: Joint Citizens’ Media Engagement Forum in Alausa, Ikeja, organized by the Ministry of Information and Strategy.
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| (M) Mr. Gbenga Omotosho |
The Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Omotoso, highlighted the significance of the new ferries, which were built locally by young Nigerian engineers.
“These ferries are world-class, not just as a means of transportation but as a symbol of what is possible in Nigeria,” Omotoso said.
He recalled that Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu had previously inaugurated 15 ferries, bringing the total to 25 and very soon, he will be Commissioning 10 of them aimed at reducing travel time and integrating three modes of transportation in Lagos.
The Commissioner also reeled out some of the achievements of the Governor in health sector “The Ojo General Hospital will soon be completed. This is the first time we will be building a general hospital in decades.”
The hospital is located in the heart of Ojo local government area of Lagos state and is bordering critical public institutions around the area like the Lagos State University campus and the Ojo military cantonment.
The location of the hospital will cover a wide area and bridge the gap in health service demand between the catchment area of Alimosho General Hospital and the Badagry General Hospital and other areas within the lagoon communities covering Snake Island and Tin Can Island.
Upon completion, the facility will help improve access to quality and efficient healthcare services within the local government and neighboring communities providing medical services in multiple specialties including surgery, neurology, medicine, amongst others.u
The Commissioner also commended media organisations for their role in providing feedback and amplifying the state government’s policies.
"Last year, Lagos rose to new heights—launching transformative projects like the Red Line Rail, expanding our Blue Line operations, and delivering groundbreaking initiatives in health, education, and youth empowerment.
"We became a beacon for progress and an example of what’s possible when leadership and people align.
"This did not come by accident. It came through deliberate plans and actions aimed at making life more meaningful for our people. For instance, in 2024, we completed 36 road projects, including bridges, link bridges, and pedestrian infrastructure. We also have over 51 other road projects that are at various stages of development, across all five divisions of the State.
"Under our Bus Reform Initiative (BRI), we are developing new BRT Bus terminals, with ongoing projects at various stages of completion. The detailed engineering design and construction of the Abule Egba Bus Terminal are progressing well.
Similarly, work on the Iyana Ipaja Bus Terminal is advancing, while the Ajah Bus Terminals & Depots, along with the Addo Road Junction Improvement and Pedestrian Bridge, are nearing completion.
Also speaking at the event, the Doyen of Community Media and Publisher of OriwuSun Newspaper , Alhaji Monsur Olowosago, stated that "There is no doubt that community media practitioners play salient roles as a feedback mechanism and gatekeepers to help cascade information on government’s programmes, policies and achievements to the grassroots.
He Urged the present government to patronize and encourage Community Media Practitioners who are the mouthpiece of the government at various communities especially in projecting the policies, programmes, and achievements of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu led Government, implemented through the T.H.E.M.E.S. Plus Agenda.
He commended the Ministry of Information and Strategy for this initiative , "Organizing such forum with community journalists where members across the State can interact and give account of challenges facing their various communities with government agencies will be a laudable one too".
He added that the past government had trained and exploited the service of the the community Media to propagate their state programmes and achievements to the grassroots.
