We need 26 modern ferry – Kalejaiye

By Lanre Adesanya

Paucity of fund has been described as the major draw back experienced by the Lagos State Ferry Services, as the agency state that it needed two billion naira to buy 26 modern ferry, and that it currently had no budgetary allocation.

The Chairman of the agency, Mr. Kalejaiye Paul made this disclosure, while playing host to the House Committee on Transport,which paid a constitutional oversight visit to their Obalende office.

The Ferry Services boss noted that they encountered challenges,he added that he just assumed office a month ago and that the major problem facing the agency is fund.

“Presently, we operate with zero budget since the last administration in the state. Not having fund to work with is a great challenge for us. We want to purchase modern ferry and this depends on the availability of fund.”

ALSO SEE: Lagos Transport Commissioner Ignores House Committee

The chairman of the agency also requested for the relocation of their office to Mile 2, saying that this is the root of ferry services.

The Chairman of the House Committee on Transport, Hon. Mojeed Fatai assured the agency that their challenges would be addressed, saying that the former chairman of the agency did not appear before the Committee for budget defence in 2015, which was why the agency did not get any allocation.

In a related development, Motor Vehicle Administration Agency also lamented that they ‎lacked operational vehicles and that there is rivalry between them and the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), urged the House to intervene in the matter

The General Manager of the agency, Mr. Lateef Lawal told the committee members that they needed more fund to function effectively.

Hon. Fatai Mojeed however, assured the agency that the House will do everything to assist them.