Boat operators have called on both the government and private sector to invest in the provision gas stations at the various jetties in the state, saying that this will reduce the cumbersome nature of water transport business.
The operators under the aegis of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transport In Nigeria (ATBOWATIN) said that investing in gas stations by government and private firms at jetties will bring about development in the water transport business in Nigeria.
Boat operators have called on both the government and private sector to invest in the provision gas stations at the various jetties in the state, saying that this will reduce the cumbersome nature of water transport business.
The operators under the aegis of Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transport In Nigeria (ATBOWATIN) said that investing in gas stations by government and private firms at jetties will bring about development in the water transport business in Nigeria.
Zonal Coordinator , Takwa Bay jetty of the association; Adisa Balogun in chat with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos, disclosed that, as one of the safest means of transportation in Nigeria , there is the need for maximum participation by government and private institution in water transport through creation of the facilities.
Balogun reiterated that non-availability of the facilities at jetties makes the operation difficult and cumbersome for the operators.
He pointed out that water transport as an alternative to road, needs similar patronage by the public and private sectors, stressing that the poor state of the roads gave rise to influx of passengers to water transport.
The coordinator further noted that, “our major challenge is how to get fuel to run our boats because we don't have any fuel stations round the banks and even our national president had met with the former president of Nigeria; Olusegun Obasanjo calling for the creation of fuel stations at the jetties, but by the time it was done, it was taken to the Niger Delta regions".
He disclosed that some states in the Niger Delta region have such facilities at their jetties and there is the need to put such infrastructures in Lagos jetties as well.
He said provision of gas station will eliminate carrying of jerry cans to source for petroleum, which he described as illegal.
"When the operators get to the filling stations they will tell them that there is an order not to sell the products into jerry cans and that is why we need all these facilities in place, because it is making our job more stressful and cumbersome", Balogun stated.
Discussion about this post