Boat Mishaps: FTAN Urges Boat Operators to Prioritize Safety, Promote Maritime Tourism

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L-R: President of ATBOWATON, Ganiu Tarzan Balogun, FTAN President, Nkereuwem Onung, and WABOTAN President, Comrade Babatope Fejemirokun at a joint press briefing in Lagos on Wednesday

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) has called on boat operators along the nation’s waterways to adhere strictly to safety regulations to reduce accidents and improve safety. This appeal was made by the President of FTAN, Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, during a meeting in Lagos with various stakeholders, including the Association of Tourist Boats and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), and representatives from the National Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), alongside press members.

L-R: President of NATOP, Mrs Bolaji Mustapha, President of ATBOWATON, Ganiu Tarzan Balogun, FTAN President, Nkereuwem Onung, the Vice President Southwest of FTAN, Chief Tunde Kolade and Lagos Chairman of ATBOWATON, Alhaji Lawal at the Joint press briefing held in Lagos on Wednesday

With the depreciation of the Naira, Mr. Onung emphasized the importance of local tourism, especially maritime tourism, as a more sustainable option for the average Nigerian family. “Foreign trips are becoming unsustainable for an average Nigerian family, so it has become expedient to promote local tourism, including maritime tourism activities for both local and international tourists,” Onung said.

He stressed that for maritime tourism to thrive, the safety of tourists on water must be guaranteed.

“We decided that it is time for us to take this sector more seriously for the sake of, first of all, the operators, the government, and then our economy. Yes, we are tourism people, but you could understand that the Federation has those on water as part of us. That tells you that there is a lot about maritime tourism,” he stated.

Onung also acknowledged the efforts of the Lagos State government, particularly through the Lagos State Waterway Authority (LASWA), for providing essential infrastructure and technology to improve water transportation.

While appreciating the resilience of boat operators in Lagos, Onung said, “I commend the state for the efforts and urge them to do more. I also appreciate the operators for their resilience, keeping up with this business despite the challenges.”

Reflecting on recent accidents in Niger and Lagos States, Onung expressed his sympathy to the victims, while calling for a closer partnership between operators and the government. “When we heard of accidents in Niger State, we began to ask questions. We first of all commiserate with the public and those who lost their lives. I have not gotten a proper brief of what happened two or three days ago (in Lagos), but I’m sure some losses had been incurred, and we sympathize with everyone who has lost persons, business, or equipment.”

Onung urged boat operators to strictly follow safety guidelines, emphasizing the importance of life jackets and standardized safety procedures. “If we are saying you don’t get on a boat without a life jacket, then we must ensure that this industry is standardized, and that it is safe for foreigners and those of us in Nigeria,” he added.

He shared a personal experience of traveling by boat from CMS in Lagos to Porto-Novo in Benin Republic, describing it as a key example of the potential of maritime tourism. “Two to three weeks ago, I did a boat ride from CMS and landed in Porto-Novo. I needed the experience. I was on water for two and a half hours. That distance will be about 25 minutes from the border of Nigeria,” he said, highlighting the need for safe and reliable waterways.

The President of ATBOWATON, Mr. Gani Tarzan Balogun, also called on the government to invest more in water transportation infrastructure, including navigational aids and better funding for marine police. He attributed a recent boat accident in Niger State to overloading and the boat hitting an object in the water. “I advise boat operators to enforce safety rules on water and ensure operations end by 6 p.m. daily since there is no navigational equipment for night operation,” Balogun advised.

Meanwhile, Mr. Babatope Fajemirokun, President of WABOTAN, revealed that while operators made 144 trips from Lagos to Porto-Novo in 2023, the number has declined to just 64 trips so far this year. Despite this, he said operators are working hard to improve water transportation in Nigeria, particularly along the West Coast.

The meeting reinforced the call for safety and collaboration between the government and boat operators, with hopes that Nigeria’s maritime tourism sector can grow to rival international standards.

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