SOME residents of Eti-Osa East Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State have urged the state government to refurbish the only jetty in the area to boost water transportation.
The residents made the call in interviews with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.

NAN reported that the jetty, situated at Ade-Lamgbosa in Ajah, is dilapidated, though still being used.

The leader of the Ajah Youth Forum, Mr Kunle Oluyemi, said that improved water transportation would alleviate the transportation problems of the residents.

“Most of our people travel by road; renovation of the jetty will provide a good alternative transport means,’’ Oluyemi said.

A businessman, Mr Kazeem Liadi, also told NAN that the renovation would de-congest traffic on the roads.

He said that many residents had resorted to travelling by road because of the jetty’s poor state.

“The jetty is not functioning properly; it has been dilapidated.

“Government should renovate this old jetty so that more boats, ferries and some others can berth safely there,’’ he said.

A fish seller, Miss Toyin Oluyemi, told NAN that the council area needed a standard jetty for water transportation.

“It is cost effective to travel by sea than to travel on land. It is easier, faster and safer,’’ Oluyemi said.

A boat operator, Mr Tunji Bakare, said the rehabilitation of the jetty would boost tourism in the council area.

He urged the Lagos State government to provide more boats and ferries for water transportation in the council area and other parts of the state.

“With a proper jetty and more ferries, ships and boats in the council area, road traffic congestion will be much reduced as travellers will have an alternative means of transportation,” Bakare said.