IPOKIA – In a significant move to boost local revenue and enhance waterway safety, the Ipokia Local Government has finalised a comprehensive agreement with boat operators across its area.
The deal, reached on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, establishes a new weekly revenue remittance framework and addresses long-standing developmental needs at community jetties.
The meeting, chaired by the Executive Chairman, Hon. Johnson Akohomeh Avoseh, served as a conclusive session following an initial engagement held two weeks prior. It brought together operators from key locations including Agada, Vawhe-Gbo, Tongeji, and the Badagry Boat Operators Association.
During the session, the operators presented a list of community requests to the council. Key among them were the installation of solar-powered lights at jetties for night-time safety, the construction of passenger waiting shelters, and the grading of access roads leading to the waterfronts.
In his response, Chairman Avoseh assured the operators that their demands were noted. He revealed that some of the mentioned locations had already benefited from the first phase of the local government’s road grading initiative and that the new requests would be considered in subsequent development phases.
A major point of discussion was passenger safety. The local government emphasised the strict enforcement of life jacket usage for all commuters and mandated adherence to safety protocols by every boat operator under its jurisdiction.
A central outcome of the meeting was the agreement on a “structured and fair” weekly revenue collection system. The council stated that the model is designed to improve its Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) without placing “undue hardship” on the operators, with the funds earmarked for infrastructure development and maintenance.
The Chairman also noted that operators from Onfo and Obanigbe, who are not yet part of the new system, will be integrated in the next phase of engagements.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the boat operators, Mr Samuel Sokenu, Chairman of Vawhe-Gbo, Topa, commended the Avoseh-led administration for its successful approach. He revealed that previous attempts under the last administration to reach a similar understanding had failed on six separate occasions.
“The renewed approach adopted by the Chairman, alongside visible development projects across Ipokia, has motivated us to fully cooperate,” Sokenu stated.
He confirmed the operators’ commitment to the new agreement, which is scheduled to take effect from the first Monday in October 2025.
