Mr. Jimoh Wasiu, an ICT expert has openly lauded the Lagos Ferry Services Company (LAGFERRY) for transporting over 700,000 passengers since it started full waterways operations in February 2020 and completing a two-year milestone.
Wasiu gave the commendation during a two-day retreat with the theme: “Innovative Water Transportation for 21st century Economy” held in Lagos on Saturday.
He also gave full commendations to the ferry service for already having a fleet of 20 in two years of its operation.
Read Also: Revolution Plus Gives Out Lands To Lagos Marathon Winners
Wasiu urged Lagferry management to engage in continuous training of its staff, for better service delivery.
He said that they should take an inventory of their existing technology deployment and work toward new ideas, to enhance service delivery.
He also reiterated that there was a need for Lagos State to provide a water transportation system of class that would have three components — Ticketing and Payment, the Boats or Ferries, and Safety, Search and Rescue.
Wasiu, also the Head of Software/Web Development, Lagos State Ministry of Science and Technology, commended the state government for providing Cowry cards for ferry passengers.
He said that ticketing was one of the biggest challenges of the transportation system in the developing countries of the world, noting that Lagos State was moving in the right direction in this regard.
Wasiu said that the ticketing system must be fully automated at the point of purchase, using the best of payment solutions that could accept diverse payment methods without physical contact with any human.
He said that contact or contactless technologies should also be deployed to verify tickets using RFID technologies/Barcode and barriers.
“Ferries/Vessels/Boats, all water transport vehicles must have location trackers, internal and external security cameras, digital SOS or panic buttons.
“Others are the Automatic weighing machine that has an intelligent and good communication system that is real time to the nearest terminal or control centre.
“We should also endeavour to acquire ferries that are energy efficient, eco friendly and possibly look at vessels that are powered by renewable energy like solar.
” Safety, Search and Rescue is one of the most important and critical components of any transportation system.
”Accident and emergencies on the water ways are not what we wish for, but there is a need to be prepared for emergency situations to save life and property,” Wasiu said.
