Water Tourism: LAGFERRY Inaugurates Bariga Waterfront Jetty 

Funmi Ogundare 

The Lagos State Ferry Services (LAGFERRY), recently organised a boat cruise tagged ‘Love Lagos Water Experience’ for fun seekers, holiday makers and tourists to Takwa Bay Island Beach, as part of efforts to activate and ensure constant usage of the Bariga Waterfront Jetty.

The experience offered them a unique opportunity to enjoy Lagos stunning coastline and have a memorable beach experience. 

Speaking before the departure, the Managing Director of LAGFERRY, Abdoulbaq Ladi Balogun, explained that the idea was aimed at ensuring the regular patronage of the magnificent terminal by commercial passengers for daily commuting, tourists, revellers, adventurers, among others, to their destinations, tourist sites and beaches. 

According to him, “our ‘Love Lagos Water Experience’, is to serve as a catalyst to boost the interests of Lagosians in water transportation, not only as a reliable alternative mode of transportation, but significantly, as a way of life. This deliberate effort is meant to showcase and popularise another wonderful piece of waterfront infrastructure in Somolu-Bariga axis to ameliorate the adverse effects of road traffic congestion on the people.” 

Balogun stated that the Bariga Waterfront Terminal comes with adequate security, restaurants, conveniences, ample car park facilities and can be connected through well constructed roads via first and last mile buses, adding, “passengers can board LAGFERRY boats from Bariga Terminal to CMS/Marina, Falomo-Ikoyi, Lekki, Victoria Island, Ebute Ero, Ikorodu, Badagry, Apapa, Mile 2, Badore-Ajah and also charter boats to the beaches and resorts of Takwa Bay, Ilashe, Ibeshe etc.” 

He added that the water experience is designed to change the lifestyle of Lagosians to achieve work-life balance by creating time for relaxation, adventures, well being and beautiful exploration of coastal assets of Lagos State through effective collaborations with beaches / resorts such as Jara at Epe, La Campagne Tropicana at Ibeju Lekki, Ilashe and Ibeshe Islands at Oriade, Sanctuary at Badagry, Takwa Bay at Iru Victoria Island, Ajala.ng, Reminiscence, Mode Partners, Goge Africa, among other private tours and tourism promoters. 

“The water experience is planned to take place every other weekends.”

The inaugural edition of the LAGFERRY’s Love Lagos water experience, witnessed scores of fun seekers and tourists onboard MF Ipakodo and MF Ehingbeti  enjoying music, games, horse riding, serene relaxation and served food and drinks while they engaged in beach sports like tug of war, beach volleyball at Takwa Bay Island Beach.