Ikorodu bridge collapse: Residents yearn for ferry service to ease community problem

MF Pam Pam, one of the boats plying
Lagos Island-Ikorodu waterways

Lagosians residing in the Ikorodu-Offin-Ijede-Ibese axis of the state may have been going through hardship ever since the partial collapse of a bridge at Ajegunle, on the Ikorodu-Mile 12 Road. The hope of an alternative means of linking Lagos Island via ferry seems distant, as Maritime Editor, Dele Aderibigbe's findings revealed.

A middle-age pregnant woman took fragile steps towards the ferry, totally blocking the two men who were behind from moving past her, except they first pushed her into the lagoon.

The make-shift plank bridge was narrow and long. It was obvious that at the mature state of her pregnancy, she was only making efforts to trudge on, even at that slow pace, to board the ferry.

Few steps to it however, the ferry, popularly called “The Jubilee” began to pull away. She stood aghast, so close and yet so far away, as hot tears welled in her eyes.

She had become one of those who may have to come into Lagos by road that day from Ikorodu, a harrowing experience whose duration now spans a minimum of five to six hours! There were only two boats. The first, MF Pam Pam, departed at 6.00 am.

One really misses out, when, like the pregnant woman, one misses the Jubilee, at 6.45a.m. With prompt action from the state government, this should be the best time to sell the wonderful idea and benefits of water transportation to Nigerians residing around Ikorodu – Offin-Ibese axis.

Till 14 September, most commuters plying the Ikorodu – Lagos route believed that the trip could span only three to four hours.

But on 15 September, as a result of the partial collapse of a bridge at Ajegunle, traders who left Idumota around 7 p.m. as well as exhausted public servants, bankers and other workers who closed from work around 6 p.m. on the Island variously got to Ikorodu between 12.30 a.m. and 2.30 a.m.

The following morning was worse. Since then, the experience had been one tale after another. Many would trek from Majidun to Ajegunle, or in the alternative, spend close to four hours from Majidun to Ajegunle, a journey which ordinarily should not exceed 10 minutes.

No fewer than three people had also reportedly died while on commercial motorcycles, popularly called Okadas, whose riders, in their recklessness, often end up under equally-impatient trailer drivers’ wheels.

Consequently, the plight of the pregnant woman who missed the ferry to Lagos could be understood.

It had probably dawned on her that the earliest she would get to her shop, if she was a trader, was 1.30p.m. If the usual go-slow around Ketu, Ojota, Anthony, Palmgrove and Ojuelegba was added, she might actually arrive Lagos Island around 2p.m.

Same for the two gentlemen she also barred from making their way into the ferry, as she walked gingerly on the makeshift plank bridge.

Yet, for those who made their way into the ferry like this reporter, there was indeed very little respite, as many complained of over-loading, with over 70 persons sitting on the top deck alone, which should not have been occupied at all.

But every available space was occupied. Though, those within complained about being uncomfortably crammed, in sad re-enactment of the old trans-Atlantic slave trade era, they could still be considered luckier than those on the deck who had to battle with how to avoid “red eyes” as a result of hot carbon monoxide fumes coming out of the engine’s exhaust pipes, positioned on the deck.

In an ideal situation, anyone living in Ibese, Offin, Ikorodu and working in Victoria Island, Ikoyi or Lagos Island, has no business going there by road.

All that would be needed is for the authorities, probably the state working with the local governments, to put in place a few fast-moving moderately-sized boats like the Texas Connection models, with reasonable fare. Fast-moving smaller ferries with double out-board engines would cover in 25 to 35 minutes the little distance between Ikorodu and Lagos Island. For instance, a trip in one of such ‘flying’ boats from Lekki to Ijede, around Ikorodu, took only 10 minutes recently.

The fare was only N200 but one must first go to Lekki’s Elekko Beach in order to get satisfactory service.

A Lagos commuter, Mr. Kayode Aborishade believes that the problem of transportation in Lagos is the typical example of what the average Nigerian must face wherever he lives.

He laid the blame at the feet of politicians who, over the years, he accused of not finding a solution to the transportation problem being faced by Lagosians. He however exempted former Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu, saying he was denied fund by the Obasanjo-led federal government.

Mr Aborishade then charged the current governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, to develop the state’s water route transportation.

“There is money now. The governor should buy ferries as well as buses that would ease the transportation problem in the state,” he said.

Another commuter, Mrs. Grace Enuneku, pleaded with government, saying it should pay more attention to people’s welfare.

“It is in Lagos that people would leave office at 5 p.m. and wouldn’t get home until 11p.m.”, she said, advising that the government should devise means of reducing traffic congestion on Lagos roads.

“All access routes should be developed while waterways should be put to optimal use.” “Must everybody in Lagos own a car?”, Mrs. Enuneku asked, saying it is only when people change their mentality towards car ownership that traffic congestion could be reduced in the state.

“To achieve this, however, public transport must be up to standard. The ferries must be comfortable for people,” she said, advising that competent people must be hired to man the ferries.

On a particular day, the captain of a boat missed his way to Ikorodu at night. Everybody, was so afraid. Two weeks ago, a group of youths gathered on the deck of a ferry on the way back from Ikorodu, smoking Indian hemp.

The men there kept quiet and took the wisdom and bravery of one woman who challenged them, even at the risk of her personal safety, to call them to order. It was after this that the men joined the brave woman.

Also, ferries stop several times on the way, to enable divers go inside the water to remove water hyacinth from the propeller.

Again, the boat which originally departs Marina by 6p.m. prompt, Monday to Friday, nows leaves at 6.30 p.m., sailing, sometimes, aimlessly, and arriving its destination about three or fours hours later.

By now, a critical reader ought to be asking what has been the response of the Nigerian Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), especially to the issue of daily overloading of the ferries, even if only in a bid to prevent accidents on the lagoon.