The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transportation of Nigeria (ATBOWAT) has urged the Federal Government to deploy more marine policemen on waterways to curb activities of sea pirates.
The President of the association, Mr Tarzan Balogun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that the illegal activities of pirates on the waterways were becoming unbearable.
He noted that the robbers, who recently robbed banks at Ikorodu and FESTAC Towns in Lagos, escaped through the waterways.
The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transportation of Nigeria (ATBOWAT) has urged the Federal Government to deploy more marine policemen on waterways to curb activities of sea pirates.
The President of the association, Mr Tarzan Balogun, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday in Lagos that the illegal activities of pirates on the waterways were becoming unbearable.
He noted that the robbers, who recently robbed banks at Ikorodu and FESTAC Towns in Lagos, escaped through the waterways.
Balogun said that the illegal activities of sea robbers at Ikorudu were on the increase in the waterways.
“This is becoming too much. The government should find lasting solutions to such unpalatable developments before they get out of hands.
“Robbers have been finding there ways to rob on the mainland through the waterways, therefore the state and the Federal Government should team up to address the situation,’’ Balogun said.
He said that the marine police were not sufficient to combat sea pirates, therefore government should deployed more officers on the waterways.
Balogun urged Lagos State Government to privatise the jetties across the city for proper management and operations of waterways activities.
He lamented the poor conditions of the jetties across the state, adding that private investors would manage them better than the government.
Balogun mentioned some of the jetties to include Epe, Ikorodu, Osborne, Mile 2, Makoko, Ojo, Ajah, Victoria Island and Ikoyi among others.
“The conditions of the jetties are discouraging. Government should hand over the management to private entities,’’ he said.
Balogun said that the state government should engage in Public Private Partnership (PPP) to develop the tourism industry.
“The government cannot do it alone, it requires private sector participation to achieve its goals, especially on the hinterland,’’ he said.
He also said that if the government improved the transportation system on the waterways it would to dislodge gridlocks on the roads.
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