Frequent boat accidents threaten $2b yearly revenue, stakeholders warn

Stakeholders have raised concerns about the safety of both domestic and international tourists, warning that frequent boat accidents could damage Nigeria’s reputation and deter visitors from engaging in water-based activities, resulting in a significant $2 billion yearly revenue loss for the country.

They lamented the lack of adequate infrastructure, particularly poor navigation markers, such as the green and red indicators that denote safe and unsafe routes.

Additionally, they highlighted weak enforcement of existing regulations that require full compliance from boat operators and passengers. The observations were made during a meeting of boat operators and stakeholders organised for the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) fact-finding mission to assess the maritime tourism ecosystem and the challenges facing boat operators in Lagos.

The President of FTAN, Mr Nkereweum Onung, urged Federal and state governments and water transport operators to prioritise safety and infrastructure development in the maritime tourism sector.

Onung shared a personal experience of a two-hour boat ride from CMS in Lagos to Benin Republic, where he noted the absence of proper navigation lights and the difficulties posed by water hyacinths. He stressed the need for better infrastructure, including navigation signs, to prevent accidents such as the recent boat tragedies in Lagos and Niger states. He also emphasised the importance of equipping all boats with proper life jackets and strictly enforcing safety rules, regarding overloaded boats. Onung underscored the potential of Nigeria’s waterways for tourism and economic growth but warned that recent accidents could undermine progress.

The FTAN president appealed to the government and operators to create a safer and more attractive maritime tourism environment, which would encourage not only Nigerians but also foreign tourists to explore the country’s waterways and resorts.

“We want the world to come and experience what we see in Florida, and there is potential for Nigeria to become a top destination for water-based tourism if the necessary improvements are made,” he said.

The National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Dr Gani Tarzan Balogun, called for stricter safety regulations and enforcement to prevent further tragedies on the nation’s waterways.

Balogun emphasised that tourists would depend on boat operators for safe transport and that operators could not afford to risk lives due to preventable incidents.

He highlighted the growing need for enhanced oversight and infrastructure on Nigeria’s waterways, as well as a cooperative approach between boat operators, regulatory bodies and the government to prevent future accidents.