Lagos boat operators back  Tinubu, Hamzat, demand more investment in water transport

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Lagos State Chapter, has declared its support for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s re-election and the governorship ambition of Dr Kadri Obafemi Hamzat, urging the incoming Lagos State Government to increase investment in water transportation infrastructure and provide financial relief for operators.

The association called for the construction of more jetties, additional fuel stations in underserved waterfront communities, subsidies for boat engines and flexible repayment arrangements to help operators overcome financial and operational challenges threatening their businesses.

The position was made known at a political awareness programme organised by ATBOWATON in collaboration with its national leadership, where boat operators and other maritime stakeholders discussed the future of water transportation in Lagos State and presented their expectations to government representatives and political actors.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Chairman of ATBOWATON, Lagos State Chapter, Babatunde Segun, acknowledged the contributions of the outgoing Lagos State Government to the development of water transportation, expressing confidence that the incoming administration would consolidate existing achievements and address outstanding challenges.

Segun recalled that boat operators previously faced serious difficulties accessing suitable operating locations because of inadequate jetties, forcing many to travel considerable distances before they could conduct their businesses.

He said the government had responded to their concerns by providing additional jetties and supporting the establishment of more fuel stations around waterways, making fuel procurement easier for operators.

He also commended the state and federal governments for collaborating to clear dangerous debris from waterways, noting that the intervention had helped reduce boat accidents and damage to boats and engines.

“On behalf of ATBOWATON, we sincerely thank the outgoing Lagos State Government for listening to us and taking steps to address these challenges. We appreciate these achievements and the positive difference they have made to our members and the water transportation sector,” he said.

However, he stressed that more interventions were needed, particularly in remote communities where access to jetties and fuel stations remained limited.

The ATBOWATON deputy chairman identified financial support as another critical area requiring government attention, explaining that some operators had lost their boats, while others were struggling with faulty engines and the high cost of replacing damaged equipment.

He appealed to the incoming administration to introduce subsidies for boat engines and flexible repayment arrangements to enable affected operators to rebuild their businesses and return to full operations.

Segun further called for sustained investment in waterway safety, security, youth employment and tourism development, arguing that improved water transportation would create jobs, enhance passenger safety and reduce pressure on Lagos roads.

On the political front, he said the association supported Tinubu’s re-election and Hamzat’s governorship ambition, expressing the expectation that the next administration would sustain ongoing projects and give greater attention to the needs of boat operators.

Earlier, the Lagos State Governor’s Special Adviser on Blue Economy, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, represented by Mr Oladayo Ibrahim, reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to positioning Lagos as a leading hub for maritime development and water transportation.

He identified the Omi Eko Project as one of the major initiatives through which the government was transforming the sector, citing investments in modern ferry infrastructure, electric vessels, improved terminals, waterway dredging and digital transportation systems.

Emmanuel, however, emphasised that existing boat operators must not be excluded from the opportunities emerging from the transformation of the waterways.

He urged operators to embrace professionalism, prioritise passenger safety, comply with regulatory standards and remain open to innovation and modern operating practices.

He also encouraged members of the association to remain politically informed and participate actively in democratic processes, noting that government policies directly affected their businesses and livelihoods.

“As Special Adviser on Blue Economy, I reaffirm our commitment to strengthening stakeholder engagement and working with relevant institutions to create an enabling environment for the growth of the sector,” he said.

Similarly, the Founding National Chairman of ATBOWATON, Dr Tarzan Balogun, emphasised the need to make passenger safety the industry’s foremost priority, warning that accidents on the waterways could discourage patronage and undermine public confidence in water transportation.

He urged operators to ensure that passengers felt safe and comfortable throughout their journeys.

Balogun also commended the interventions of the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), particularly their monitoring activities and provision of safety equipment, including life jackets.

He called for sustained collaboration among federal, state and local governments to address the challenges confronting water transportation.

Also speaking, the Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Rasaq Olotede, applauded successive Lagos State administrations for investments in water transportation infrastructure, particularly the development of jetties and terminals across Lagos State.

He cited terminals at Ilashe, Ibeshe and Kirikiri Town as examples of facilities provided to support water transportation in the area.

Olotede also commended boat operators for complying with safety regulations, particularly the use of life jackets, while acknowledging the roles of LASWA and the Marine Police in monitoring activities on the waterways.

The stakeholders further highlighted the need to strengthen maritime awareness and capacity development.

The programme underscored the importance of sustained government investment, effective regulation and collaboration with private operators in developing Lagos’ waterways as a viable alternative transportation network.