The National President of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters (ATBOWATON), Alhaji Tarzan Balogun has called for an urgent shift from the importation of boats to local boat building to boost job creation, reduce costs, and enhance the sustainability of the country’s inland waterways system.
Speaking with Shipping Position Daily last week, Alhaji Tarzan Balogun emphasized that the country is losing significant revenue and employment opportunities by continuing to depend on imported vessels.
Alhaji Balogun explained that many of the imported boats are not designed for Nigeria’s unique marine environment, which is often characterized by rocky channels and underwater wrecks. According to him, this makes them vulnerable to accidents, especially in the absence of essential navigation tools like depth sounders and GPS, which most local boat operators cannot afford.
According to the water transportation union leader, the cost of transporting a single imported boat into Nigeria is equivalent to the cost of building multiple boats locally. He stressed that by embracing local production, Nigeria can reduce costs, improve vessel adaptability to its waterways, and stimulate economic development by creating jobs and empowering skilled workers across the country.
He further noted that despite interest from foreign investors in South Africa and Australia to invest in the sector, many have been discouraged by the nation’s inconsistent policy environment. This lack of continuity in leadership and regulatory frameworks has made long-term investment in the water transport sector unattractive.
“Why are we importing boats when the cost of transporting just one from abroad can be used to build three or four right here in Nigeria? Let’s empower our own builders, train our people, and grow our economy.
“Some of those boats sank, not because of poor build quality, but because of negligence, or because the water was too rough. It shows that even foreign-made boats are not immune. So why not build ours and adapt them to our terrain?” he asked
Alhaji Balogun however, urged the Federal Government to lead efforts to standardize boat designs and collaborate with local manufacturers to ensure vessels meet safety and operational standards. He stated that with a stable policy environment and deliberate support for local builders, Nigeria can build a self-reliant maritime economy capable of competing with other major sectors.
While commending the ongoing efforts by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under Minister Adegboyega Oyetola, particularly the focus on water transport development, he however warned that gains made under the current administration could be easily reversed if subsequent governments fail to sustain the momentum.
The union leader stressed the need for consistent policy, long-term planning, and strategic investment in local production to unlock the full potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.
