In follow-up to an earlier meeting held two weeks ago with boat operators across Ipokia Local Government, the Executive Chairman, Hon. Avoseh Johnson Akohomeh, hosted a final engagement session on Tuesday, 30th September 2025. In a statement signed by the
Officer in charge of the Media and Public Engagement to the Executive Chairman
Ipokia Local Government, the meeting focused on passenger safety, revenue generation, and the developmental needs of the jetties within the local government area.
Present at the meeting including operators from key locations, Badagry Boat Operators Association, and operators from Agada, Vawhe-Gbo, Tongeji, Whekan, Akere, and Izigi where passenger boats travel to the Badagry axis on daily basis and designated market days.
The operators used the opportunity to present community feedback and raise specific requests to the local government.
The requests including installation of solar lights at their jetties to improve visibility and enhance safety at night, construction of passenger waiting shelters where commuters can sit while waiting to board, and grading of the access roads that link to the jetties to improve connectivity and operations.
In his reaction to the requests, the Executive Chairman, Honourable Johnson Akohomeh assured the operators that their requests had been duly noted. He explained that some of the locations had already benefited from the first phase of the local government’s grading of access roads, and that the new demands would be considered in upcoming development phases.
Discussions also addressed the use of life jackets to ensure passenger safety across all waterways. Emphasis was laid on the need for strict adherence to safety protocols by all boat operators under the jurisdiction of the local government.
A key outcome of the meeting was the agreement on a structured and fair revenue remittance framework, to be implemented weekly, without placing undue hardship on the operators. The revenue arrangement is designed to improve the local government’s internal revenue generation and support the development and maintenance of infrastructure across the area.
Operators from Onfo and Obanigbe who are not yet captured under the new system, are expected to be engaged in the next round as the local government intensifies efforts to ensure all routes are included in its revenue improvement drive.
Speaking on behalf of the operators, Mr Samuel Sokenu who is the Chairman of Vawhe-Gbo Topa, expressed deep appreciation to the local government for its priority on safety of users of waterways and support for operations.
Previous efforts under the last administration to reach an understanding failed on at least six occasions, and noted that the renewed approach adopted by the Executive Chairman of Ipokia Local Government alongside visible development projects across Ipokia, had motivated them to fully coorperate.
He confirmed their commitment to implementing the new agreement, which will take effect from the first Monday in October 2025.
This is a very good one……
This’s Wonderful..