By Ikorodu Boat Operators Inaugurate Cooperative Society, New Operators Forum
It was an occasion of hitting two birds with a stone today at the Ikorodu Ferry Terminal as the Ikorodu Boat Operators formally formed its Cooperative Multipurpose Society and inaugurated the Ikorodu Boat Operators Forum is an umbrella body for the existing 3 associations operating in Zone 3 of the Lagos State Inland Waterways.
The inauguration of the Ikorodu Boat Operators Cooperative Multipurpose Society by Registrar of Cooperatives at Lagos State Ministry of Commerce, Industry and Cooperatives, Adebiye Ramat, saw the swearing of Mr Yinusa Jimoh as the President, Oyenuga Atinuke as Secretary and Mr Moses Jolayemi as Treasurer.
Addressing the gathering, Mr Yinusa noted that the objective of IBOCMS is to support members to become economically empowered by reducing the unemployment rate; help members to access tangible loans from the Bank of Industry and other well-recognised agencies; help members with skills by organising structural training and seminars in line with industry operations.
He further stated that aside from providing access to loans, the Cooperative will also help members meet regulatory requirements and enforce agreed quality standards where necessary and put monitoring mechanisms in place to ensure members’ businesses grow to profitability.
In a similar breath, the Ikorodu Boat Forum that has been in existence since July 2021 was officially commissioned on August 12, 2021, as a central platform to ensure operational structure and safety of boat operations from the Ikorodu hub.
The IBO Forum had its terms of reference to serve as gatekeeper for all operator entrants into the water transportation in Ikorodu; to fortify existing operators and associations to become recognised stakeholders in the water transportation industry in Lagos; to be the liaison office for boat operators from Ikorodu and all regulatory bodies including and not limited to LASWA, NIWA, Marine Police amongst others.
The IBO Forum is also empowered to ensure discipline amongst operators and ensure operational guidelines are followed by operators. The Forum is to administer penalties and fines where rules of best practices are ignored.
Speaking on the coming together of the major boat operators in Ikorodu, Mr Famuyiwa Ibrahim, Operations Manager for Lagos State Waterways Authority, commended the formation of the Forum stating that the Ikorodu zone is the first to have attained the operational standard.
“ We are happy Ikorodu Zone has taken the big step in setting the operational standard. I am sure by the time the cooperative and the forum kick into action properly, it would improve safety and service delivery and there will be reliability on the part of the passengers and also operators,” he said.
Amongst dignitaries who graced the event are Piu Agbede, Chairman, United Waterways Passengers Association, Soji Majofodun, Chairman, Boat Operators Association, Pastor Jide Daniel and Adesomoju Akintayo, Chairman, Ikorodu Boat Operators Forum
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