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LASWA Hosts National Youth Council State Chairmen, Showcases Lagos Blue Economy Vision
LASWA Hosts National Youth Council State Chairmen, Showcases Lagos Blue Economy Vision
The Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Monday hosted the Forum of National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) State Chairmen from across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), offering them a comprehensive tour of the state’s expanding waterways infrastructure.
The visit provided youth leaders an immersive experience of Lagos’ inland waterways system, highlighting the state government’s commitment to developing water transportation as a viable alternative to road congestion in Africa’s largest metropolis.
The event underscored LASWA’s role in coordinating and managing reforms necessary for the long-term growth and development of water transportation in Lagos State, which has approximately 17% of its total area composed of lagoons and waterways.
The National Youth Council of Nigeria, established in 1964 and formally recognized in 1990, serves as the umbrella body representing Nigerian youth between the ages of 18 and 35. The council operates through 36 state chapters plus the FCT, with each chapter led by a state chairman.
LASWA’s engagement with the youth leaders aligns with the state’s broader vision to transform Lagos into a model city with world-class inland waterways infrastructure and services. The authority recently embarked on the ambitious Omi-Èkó project, a €410 million initiative co-financed by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), European Investment Bank (EIB), and the European Union.
The project includes procurement of 78 electric-powered vessels, development of 15 ferry routes, channelization and dredging of 140 kilometers of inland waterways, and construction of 25 ferry terminals and jetties with charging stations and supporting infrastructure.
“The future is blue, and Lagos is leading,” officials noted, emphasizing the state’s commitment to promoting water transportation as part of its inter-modal transport system.
LASWA continues to prioritize safety on the waterways, deploying 103 water guards across various terminals and maintaining continuous monitoring through patrol boats to ensure secure passage for commuters who choose to “Travel Water, Travel Safe.”
The visit by the NYCN Forum represents a significant engagement between Lagos State’s waterways development program and Nigeria’s youth leadership, potentially opening pathways for youth participation in the state’s blue economy initiatives.