UK partners Lagos to boost waterways transportation, climate resilience with hovercraft
The British Deputy High Commission, Lagos has assured of its continuous partnership with Lagos State to explore an alternative to Lagos transport system with hovercraft.
The Commission stated that this will in turn reduce road congestion and promote economic growth, as well as the urgency to tackle climate change by reducing carbon dioxide emissions.
This position was disclosed when the British Deputy High Commissioner, Ben Llewellyn-Jones and the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, witnessed the sea trial of a hovercraft, an amphibious boat-like vehicle that travels over water, sand and grass in Lagos on Friday.
The statement clarifies that a hovercraft could improve the climate resilience of Lagos State, contributing to sustainable and inclusive economic development in the city.
The statement also said Griffon Hoverwork, a UK hovercraft design and manufacturing company, carried out the demonstration as part of the UK government’s effort to enhance the waterways transportation system in Lagos.
“An enhanced and reliable water transport system will also reduce congestion on the roads, promote economic growth, and improve competition in the business environment as well as the overall operations in the state.
“It will reduce travel time, improve connectivity between communities and hence provide access to critical services such as healthcare, education and employment,” the statement added.
The UK government added that through its Future Cities Nigeria Programme, it had been providing technical assistance to Lagos to boost its water transport system, which would in turn improve the climate resilience of Lagos State, by offering a viable alternative to road transport and provide an improved transport option for Lagos residents and visitors.
Speaking after the sea trial, Llewellyn-Jones, said, “The UK government is keen to assist the Lagos State Government in the area of water transportation, and urban development.
“Griffon Hoverwork, a leading manufacturer of hovercrafts has displayed the capabilities of a hovercraft as a means of reducing carbon emissions and road congestion and supporting growth in the water transport sector.
“Lagos is Africa’s largest city with lots of capacity, but relies excessively on road vehicles for transport, leading to long and expensive commutes and traffic delays.
“Through our Future Cities Nigeria programme, we are working with LASWA to develop water transport routes that reduce road traffic congestion, provide safer, cleaner, reduced cost transport and reduce CO2 emissions.
“It is great to see these plans start to become reality through this trial of a hovercraft on the Lagos waterways. This demonstrates the range of opportunities and potential for UK and other international businesses in this sector to benefit from the new transport routes.”
According to the General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority, the UK’s Global Future Cities Programme with the Lagos State Government was helping to expand the state’s waterways transport and improve the environment.
