The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), on Wednesday, called for the mandatory use of life jackets by people on waterways and adherence to other safety rules.

Nkereuwem Onung, national president of FTAN, during an interactive session with the media in Lagos, said that the association was worried about the recent boat mishaps in Lagos and Niger states.

Mr Onung said it was disheartening to know that the boat mishaps could have been avoided as some passengers refused to use life jackets while another boat operator carried overload. 

He said a constant careless attitude of ignoring safety rules on the waterways would hinder the nation from making headway in grooming its marine tourism economy like other nations of the world.

He sympathised with the families of those who lost their lives as he advised boat operators and Nigerians generally to always adhere to safety rules on the  waterways.

“FTAN is worried over certain developments in the tourism sector. It is absolutely wrong to go on a boat without life jackets. Safety rules on Nigeria’s waterways should be strictly adhered to.

“Putting into consideration that boat operators are our members, we want government and boat operators to be proactive in ensuring all forms of negligence are curtailed on the waterways.

“Government and the private sector operators should come together to uphold safety rules to bring about economic prosperity to the nation.

“This economic prosperity can only be achieved through frequent use of the waterways for trade, tourism and transportation.

“When we continue to record cases of boat mishaps, local and international tourists will be discouraged from exploring our waterways and there is huge money to be made on the water,” he said.

Mr Onung advised state governments to work on ensuring the needed infrastructure is in place on the waterways as he commended the Lagos State government for taking the lead.

He said his recent journey from Lagos to Port Novo, in Benin Republic, was an eye opener to the fact that Lagos state had done a lot on the waterways but more needed to be done.

He commended the cordial relationship between the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).

He also commended the boat operators for their resilience in developing the Nigerian marine economy thus far.

He said government at different levels needed to work in synergy with boat operators to boost the huge marine tourism economy in  Nigeria.

“Please, as boat operators, let’s not operate outside the known rules, we should be concerned about encouraging tourists to explore our waterways and not scare them by these boat mishaps.

“Nigeria’s waterways is still under-utilised. The destination Lagos is well developed for tourism, we just need the right infrastructure on water to aid tourism activities.

“Nigerians’ purchasing power is now minimal in other countries, so, let us encourage one another to unwind within the country as we also encourage water tourism,” he said

Earlier, Mr Ganiyu Balogun, National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), explained the unfortunate incident that led to the recent boat mishaps.

Mr Balogun, who is also the chief executive officer of Tarzan Boat, said, “it is disheartening to know that some passengers can be so careless and stubborn, not to use their life jackets before going on water, even after being told the implications.”

He, however, advised Nigerians to always abide by the stipulated safety rules on the waterways.

He also advised boat operators across the country against making any trip on the waterways beyond 6.00 p.m, as it could be dangerous.

He noted that though government was trying in terms of putting in place the needed infrastructure on the waterways but there were still insufficient navigation signs.

Also, Bolaji Mustapha, National President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), advised boat operators on the need to always reel out safety tips to passengers before embarking a trip from the jetty.

Mr Mustapha said this would always guide tourists, travellers or boat users on the necessary things to be done whenever they find themselves in life threatening situation while on board on the waterways.

“Just as we have air hostesses intimate travellers on safety rules before an aircraft takes off, this should be replicated in the case of water transport as well.

“Boat operators should ensure this is done so that victims of boat mishaps can be knowledgeable on what to do in such dangerous circumstances,” she said.

Tope Fajemirokun,  national president, Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), reiterated the association’s commitment toward changing the narrative on Nigeria’s waterways through annual training of boat operators, drivers and jetty operators. 

(NAN)