reporters The Managing Director of Lagos State Ferry Service Company (LAGFERRY), Mr Ladi Balogun has said it collaborate and kick start promo package for ferry passengers to reward and encourage water transportation in the state.
Balogun disclosed this during the flag off of LAGFERRY’s Mega Raffle Draw tagged “SAILIN ‘N’ SMILIN RAFFLE Promo, “held in Lagos on Thursday.
He said that the promo exercise was to create more awareness of 20 boats in the benefits of water transportation in Lagos.
Balogun said that promo was to reward loyal patronage of LAGFERRY through raffle with deepening the usage of Water Transportation alternative to ease Road Traffic congestion.
“Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu commissioned has on 4, February 2020 Commissioned State of the Heart Ferry Terminal at Badore, we stared operation since 6, February and moved about five hundred and two thousand passengers across the waterways between February 2020 till date.
“With the support of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) Since February 2020 that the Lagferry started ferry operation, we have never record a single accident on waters ways in all the 13 ferry terminals in the state.
“This is because our regulator (LASWA) ensures that our captains, deckhand are adequately trained to sail Lagos passengers safely.
“Gov. Sanwo-Olu approved and we have taken delivery of seven additional boats making 20 boats between February 2020 to June 2021 which will be commissioning soon for Lagosians.
“In Nigeria we have not seen a boat operators having up to 20 fleets in operation while the first history is been made my Mr. Governor and Lagos State Government,” Balogun said.
He said that the Lagos State Government transported the Super Eagles from Lagos to Benin Republic through the waterways adding that the team testified that the water transportation added to their level of their productivity.
Balogun said that water transportation was the safest means of transportation in Nigeria adding that connecting the road to the water was becoming easier with the Launching of First and Last Mile bus by Mr Governor.
He urged Lagos residents to patronise water transport which was safest means of transportation and win giveaway prizes adding that at the end of the third quarter that first mega promo price would be given away to winner.
Balogun said that the raffle would kick start in July 1, and winners will be announced weekly and prices would be taken away by winning at the end of the month.
He said that the promo was sanction by the Lottery Authority, the Consumer Authority of Lagos State would be involved to ensure that passengers rights was not infringe upon by either Lagferry or Energy Safety.
Also speaking, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Elivate 9JA, Mr George Organ, said the partnership would brought excitement for ferry users, without buying tickets but only with Laffery tickets one was qualified for the raffle.
He explained that there were lot of prizes such as microwaves, washing machines, television sets, Cars among other prices.
Ogan said that there would be refreshment for early passengers of Lagferry during the promo.
The Chairman Ikoyi – Obalende Local Government Community Development Area (LCDA), Fuad Lawal, said the promo was a win win situation for both Lagos State Government and ferry users.
He said that the promo would also generate money for government without increasing ferry price adding that at local government level they would see extend the awareness for many people to participate in their area.
In his goodwill message, the General Manager of LASWA, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, commended the collaboration from both the Public and Private sector adding that no single sector could harness it potentials alone.
Emmanuel commended Lagferry for the initiative and commended the support of other agencies to making the promo possible.
Also speaking, the General Manager Lagos State Consumer Protection Agency, Mr Afolabi Sholebo, said the with the involvement of consumer protection that it had showed the level of sincerity of all the Stakeholders involving in the promo.
Sholebo assured passengers of protecting their rights to the last minute and urged them to ply water transportation.
The Chief Executive Officer, Lagos State Lottery and Gaming Authority, Mr Bashir Are, represented by Senior Consultant Officer, Oyinkan Usamot, said they would ensure compliance to the promo.
Are commended the Lagferry for creating awareness for Lagos residents to shift from road to water transportation in the state.
The General Manager Marketing of Coscharis Groups, Abiona Babarinde , said they usually collaborate with Lagos State where they operate and they which to add value to water users in Lagos State.
Babarinde said the promo would give opportunities to Lagos residents to be a car owner courtesy of Lagferry with support of their Corporate Social Responsibility adding that the game would be transparent.
“The car outside is one of our subsidiaries brand Morris Garages saying that the next winner will wine another brand of the Coscharis Group till the end of the promo.
“The opportunity to win Range over and other lasted cars are available in the promo with high level of Transparency,” Babarinde, ” he said.