The ambitious Omi Eko Project, aimed at revolutionizing Lagos’s inland water transportation, is setting a new standard for urban mobility by explicitly integrating safety and comfort features for vulnerable groups, particularly women.
Gautier Mignot, the Head of the European Union Delegation to Nigeria, stated on Friday that the project has the potential to transform water transportation in Lagos. In an interview on Channels Television’s “Morning Brief,” he commended Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and his team for their efforts.
Key Features and Funding
The project, which involves a €410 million investment from the European Union, the French Development Agency (AFD), and the European Investment Bank (EIB), will introduce electric ferries, new terminals, and improved safety measures.
“It looks like a future where this waterways transport network will meet all the needs of Lagosians of all categories,” Mignot said. “It will be much faster, much more comfortable… And there will be specific features, for instance, for women, to avoid sexual harassment with the lighting of the terminals or special seats for pregnant women.”
Key details of the project, which runs from 2024 to 2030, include:
Deployment of over 78 high-capacity electric ferries.
Establishment of 25 upgraded ferry terminals and jetties.
Enhanced public lighting at terminals to mitigate the risk of gender-based violence.
A commitment to encourage women’s employment during both the construction and operation phases.
A “Very Good Offer” for Lagos
Mignot confirmed the total project cost is estimated at ₦750 billion. A “Team Europe” partnership is contributing ₦540 billion in subsidized loans and ₦110 billion in direct grants.
“Blending loans and grants is making this a very good offer and very good support for the Lagos State Government,” Mignot stated, noting that this structure minimizes the debt burden on the state.
The initiative is a vital part of the Lagos State Development Plan (2022-2052), which seeks to increase the use of inland waterways and shift millions of commuters away from congested roads.
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