The Lagos State Government on Friday unveiled the Omi Eko project aimed at revolutionising ferry transport in the state.
Speaking at the unveiling of the project, Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu while described the launch as more than a ribbon-cutting, but a commitment to people, planet, and posterity.
Sanwo-Olu noted that the project was unveiled with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD), European Union (EU), and European Investment Bank (EIB)
“Omi Eko will lift not only boats but also lives, businesses, and communities.
“We are not just planning to lead, we are planning to lead boldly, sustainably, and inclusively for generations to come,” he said.
He expressed gratitude to local and international partners — including Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), the French Development Agency, the European Union, and the European Investment Bank, whose enduring collaboration had powered the blue economy vision.
He also commended Nigerian institutions like the Navy, Police Marine, and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) for their roles in sustaining the state’s waterways.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Blue Economy, Mr Damilola Emmanuel, noted that the $410 million Omi Eko project was the largest inland waterways investment in Africa.
He added that Lagos had also set up Africa’s first water waste monitoring and data center to provide real-time visibility and ensure commuter safety.
“This is no longer a dream; we are living the dream.
“As Lagos learns to move with its waters, it will discover the rhythms of its prosperity. The journey has just begun, and the future of Lagos lies in harnessing the blue economy for shared progress,” he said.
Also speaking, the European Union Ambassador to Nigeria and ECOWAS, Mr Gautier Mignot, noted that the project enjoyed EU sponsorship because it was on the Abidjan-Lagos transport corridor, which was part of the Global Gateways Strategy.
“Africa is home to some of the fastest-growing cities, presenting challenges and opportunities for transport systems, Lagos being a prime example.
“Scaling existing small-scale public transport networks to create more efficient and sustainable large-scale systems will improve accessibility and mobility with very concrete impacts on the daily lives of millions of urban dwellers in Lagos State.
“Sustainability is essential to the global gateway’s transport objectives for Africa, with investments tailored to reduce the negative impacts of transport on health, the environment and climate change.
“This is the promise offered by Omi Eko through the promotion of greener, more inclusive and resilient urban mobility in Lagos,” he said.
Meanwhile, the French Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr Jean-Noel Barrot, described the project as one of the benefits from the partnership between Nigeria and France.
“This Omi Eko and the unique electric ferries will thrive amid rising sea levels and suppress carbon emissions,” Barrot posited.
The Commissioner for transportation, Mr Oluwaseun Osiyemi, said that today was not about launching a project but a new chapter in Lagos’ transport story, a story of transformation, resilience and innovation.
“The project is about empowering the community, creating jobs, easing congestion and reducing carbon footprint,” he said.
The project will see the deployment of over 78 high-capacity electric ferries, digital ticketing systems, intelligent terminals, and safety innovations.
Omi Eko project will move 25 million passengers per year on 15 ferry routes, reduce carbon emissions by 41,000 tons per year and three hours of travel time on a computer trip on the main Omi Eko routes at peak hour.
