Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has inaugurated the “OMI-EKO Project”, an initiative aimed at transforming the city’s transportation system by significantly expanding the use of its extensive inland waterways.
The project emphasises building a cleaner, safer, and more efficient city by leveraging water as a primary channel for mobility.
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In a statement announcing the launch on his X page on Saturday, Sanwo-Olu noted that for generations, the state has been defined by water, yet its roads have borne the brunt of the city’s movement.
He said the OMI-EKO Project is designed to shift this dynamic through targeted investment in modern water transport infrastructure and sustainable operations.
The initiative is structured around two key components: inland waterways Infrastructure which includes the construction of 15 priority ferry routes, the dredging and marking of 140 kilometers of waterways, and the development of 25 ferry terminals and jetties.
These new facilities will feature amenities such as electric charging points, maintenance depots, and enhanced road connections to ease access.
Sustainable operations the second component focuses on deploying over 75 electric-powered ferries, implementing intelligent transport systems for seamless ticketing and passenger information, and executing comprehensive capacity building programs for the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
Sanwo-Olu stated that the overarching goal is to provide the state residents with more safe and efficient travel options, thereby reducing road congestion and fostering economic growth.
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The governor expressed gratitude to the project’s international partners—the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Union (EU), and the European Investment Bank (EIB)—for their support in bringing this vision to fruition.
