By Tajudeen Adebanjo
Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) on Tuesday opened a Waterways Fuel Dump, initiated by Ibile Oil and Gas Corporation (IOGC), at LASWA’s headquarters in Ikoyi
Managing Director of LASWA Damilola Emmanuel said the fuel dump would enhance ferry operations.
He said with the dump, operators would no longer buy fuel with kegs.
“Operators usually carry kegs to filling stations to buy fuel … The launching of Ibile Oil will instil safety culture and eradicate carrying petrol onboard boats,” he said.
Emmanuel said similar stations would be established elsewhere in Lagos to ensure improved fuel infrastructure.
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IOGC’s Head of Downstream Dami Ajayi said his company established the fuel dump to support the waterways transportation agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu.
National President of Association of Tourists Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria (ATBOWTN) Mr Tarzan Balogun said the initiative would reduce the stress of fuelling onboard.
Balogun said it had been dificult for members to get fuel, mostly during scarcity.
“We are begging Ibile Oil to always have fuel to enable us reduce time of doing business and improve our efficiency.
‘’We are also appealing to the Ibile management to make available in advance two stroke oil, which help in mixing fuel we put in the ferry,” Balogun said.
President of Integrated Ferry Operators (IFO) Pastor Jide Daniel said the launching would curb fire hazards while trying to get fuel with jerricans into the ferry.
