Renowned tourist boat operator, Dr Ganiyu Balogun, on Wednesday celebrated his 70th birthday anniversary with a call for greater government investment in water transport infrastructure, including establishing petrol stations on water.
Balogun, the National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, made the call in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
Balogun, popularly known as Tarzan the Boatman, pioneered some commercial waterway routes in Lagos, including the Badore-Ikorodu route. He also operated the first car barge service on Lagos lagoon.
He said that governments must prioritise establishment of modern water transport infrastructure to ease burden on boat operators.
He said that establishment of fuel stations on water would relieve boat operators of the burden of sourcing fuel in jerry cans.
Balogun also called for establishment of police rapid response units dedicated to improving safety and emergency response on waterways.
“Government needs to invest more in water transportation so that boat operators can open up the waterways.
“Opening the waterways will help to improve water transportation, and this can serve as an avenue for economic development.
“Government should assist private investors to import modern ships, ferries
and boats to make water transportation easier and safer for the people,” he said.
Balogun recalled that when the Lagos State Government invited private stakeholders to develop the state’s inland waterways in 2006, his company developed four jetties at the time when investor confidence in the sector was low.
“Many people are scared of water and will not want to invest in the sector. “Asiwaju Tinubu had foresight by asking that jetties be built in many places and it did reduce traffic on our roads as many people parked their cars to take boats,” he said.
Balogun, the Managing Director of Tarzan Marine Enterprises Nig. Ltd., also celebrated his 70th birthday anniversary with financial empowerment of traders and artisans at Badore Jetty, Lagos.
In a congratulatory message, veteran tourism journalist, Mr Frank Meke, described Balogun, a critic of multiple taxation, as a man whose passion and consistency had shaped marine tourism in Nigeria.
