Lagos Ferry Services Company (LAGFERRY) says it has been ferrying health workers and food relief materials to communities along the state coastal line.

Its Chief Executive Officer, AbdoulBaq Balogun, said the company was well equipped and ready for any essential service on Lagos waterways during the lockdown.

According to Balogun, the services are being provided as the duty demands to help combat the COVID-19 pandemic in the state.

“All commercial ferry operations by LAGFERRY remain suspended till further notice but we still render essential services, not only to the health workers but also for those distributing food relief items to the riverine communities.

“We are ready to assist whenever the need arises.

“Our boats and operational crew are on standby at the Five Cowries Terminal, Falomo-Ikoyi.

“We are a call away,’’ the LAGFERRY chief said.

The boats were launched on Feb. 4 by Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu to strengthen inland waterways transport and reduce road traffic congestion.

President Muhammadu Buhari, in a Presidential broadcast on the Coronavirus pandemic on March 29, gave a restriction order on movements in Lagos, Ogun and the FCT.

The lockdown is for an initial period of 14 days with effect from 11 p.m. on March 30.

As at 9.30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7, the total number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in the country rose to 254, with 44 discharged and six deaths.

In the global count, the novel coronavirus has infected more than 1.43 million people and killed over 82,000 worldwide, according to Johns Hopkins University as at early hours of Wednesday.