Rising costs hinder boat acquisition, group laments

The Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria has stated that the increase in fuel costs, coupled with prevailing economic challenges, has made it difficult for operators to acquire new boats and expand their businesses.

In a statement on Tuesday, the President of WABOTAN, Mr Tope Fajemirokun, stated this while speaking on Villa Square, a special segment of Cr8tive Naija, the popular weekly tourism and cultural magazine programme aired every Thursday on Mainland 98.3 FM Lagos and anchored by veteran tourism journalist Frank Meke alongside Bunmi Adeniji.

Fajemirokun stressed that rising fuel prices have significantly affected the operations of boat owners and transporters.

“The increase in fuel costs, coupled with prevailing economic challenges, has made it difficult for operators to acquire new boats and expand their businesses.

When you are in business, you must continue to improve and invest in it despite the challenges,” Fajemirokun said.

Fajemirokun also commended the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Lagos State Waterways Authority for their continued collaboration in ensuring safer and more secure waterways across the country.

He expressed appreciation to NIWA and LASWA for their commitment to maintaining safety standards on Nigeria’s waterways, highlighting the association’s efforts to promote safety awareness among boat operators and passengers ahead of the rainy season.

Fajemirokun further outlined several initiatives undertaken by the association to educate its members on safety practices ahead of the rainy season.

“Since the beginning of the year, we have been educating our members on safety measures. We have conducted two safety induction programmes this year and are currently planning another one before August. With the support of my friend and brother, Frank Meke, the programme will bring together stakeholders, the media, and regulatory agencies to further strengthen safety awareness,” he stated.

He noted that the association has implemented several safety measures in preparation for the rainy season and acknowledged the efforts of regulatory authorities in sensitising operators and passengers.

“A few months ago, LASWA invested significantly in clearing water hyacinth from Lagos waterways. Water hyacinth is a fast-growing aquatic plant that obstructs navigation and poses safety risks on waterways,” he explained.

Fajemirokun said WABOTAN has enjoyed strong cooperation from both LASWA and NIWA in promoting safety and regulatory compliance across the sector.

“We have received tremendous support from LASWA and NIWA, and we are working closely with them. However, we remain particularly concerned about Rivers and Bayelsa states, where incidents on the waterways tend to increase during the rainy season due to their proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. With NIWA’s support, we are intensifying sensitisation efforts in those states and across other parts of the country,” he said.

He added that several states are establishing their own waterway authorities and commended NIWA for providing guidance and support in that regard.

On the need to phase out unsafe banana and wooden boats, Fajemirokun called for greater government intervention and financial support for operators seeking to invest in safer and more modern vessels.

“The government needs to come to our aid, just as the Lagos State Government has been doing. Eliminating bananas and wooden boats will be easier if the government provides the necessary support and investment. State governments should also invest more in water transportation to ensure that Nigerians can fully benefit from the opportunities offered by the waterways,” he said.

He further urged government authorities to take a more active role in developing the water transportation sector, noting that the high cost of water travel discourages many commuters.

“The cost of water transportation remains high. For example, a commuter travelling from Badagry to CMS may spend about N5,000 each way, amounting to N10,000 daily on transportation alone. This is one of the major factors discouraging passengers from using the waterways. That is why we are appealing to the government at all levels to invest more in the sector,” he added.

Earlier in the programme, its anchor, Meke, commended the government’s efforts but emphasised the need for additional measures to fully harness the potential of Nigeria’s water transport sector.

“Our roads are heavily congested. As we speak, Apapa remains gridlocked. Imagine the impact if the government invested more in water transportation. Sometimes, there appears to be more lip service than concrete action. The blue economy holds enormous potential. Look at the investments and sacrifices being made by associations like WABOTAN to strengthen the sector. Government agencies should demonstrate a similar level of commitment,” Meke said.

He further raised concerns about states including Kwara, Niger, Benue, and Taraba, noting that their waterways have the potential to provide a cheaper and more efficient channel for moving agricultural products.

According to him, many farmers in these states need reliable and cost-effective transportation options to move their goods to market, making water transportation a viable alternative.

Meke called on the government to declare a state of emergency in the water transportation sector, emphasising the need for alternative modes of transportation beyond road networks.

“Nigerians need efficient alternatives to road transport, and WABOTAN has played a significant role in advancing the sector. The government should provide soft loans to boat operators to enable them to acquire modern vessels. Investment should not be limited to boats alone; there is also a need for continuous training of boat captains, crew members, and even passengers. As the rainy season approaches, we must prepare adequately for emergencies,” he stated.