The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transport of Nigeria (ATBOWATN) has called for more marine police officers to combat crimes on the Lagos State waterways.
ATBOWATN President, Mr Tarzan Balogun, made the call in an interview in Lagos last week.
Balogun said that with the security challenges in Nigeria, the waterways had become alternative routes of escape for criminals.
He said the Federal and Lagos State Governments should, in addition to deploying more officers, provide the necessities for them to function effectively and efficiently.
For a smooth operation, he suggested the provision of new speedboats with big engine horsepower and improved maintenance.
In addition, he mentioned the lighting up of waterways and the supply of powerful ammunition as some of the other areas to improve upon.
According to him, if all the aforementioned basic needs are provided, it will help to fight kidnapping and other criminal activities on the waterways.
“The recent kidnapping of a sand dredger in Eti-Osa axis was allegedly carried out through the waterways.
“Pipeline vandals carry out their evil deeds on the waterways and also escape through the same route.
“The waterways have become escape routes for evildoers, therefore, there is the need to mount and boost security on the waterways by deploying more marine police and equipping them with basic needs,” he said.
Balogun said the illegal and brazen activities of pirates, kidnappers and bunkers on the waterways had become unbearable; calling the state and federal governments to team up and address.
“It is high time the government found a lasting solution to activities of bandits on our waterways before the situation gets completely out of hand,” Balogun said.
The ATBOWAT president also urged the state government to privatise jetties across the state for proper management and operations.
Balogun expressed confidence that private investors would manage the jetties better than the government.
According to him, some jetties are at Badore, Epe, Ikorodu, Osborne, Mile 2, Makoko, Ojo, Ajah, Victoria Island, Ikoyi, and Badagry.
Balogun urged the state government to undertake a Public Private Partnership (PPP) approach to develop the tourism potential of the waterways.
“The government cannot do it alone. It requires private sector participation to achieve its goals, especially on the hinterland,” he said.
He added that improving the water transportation system would assist in decongesting and dislodging gridlocks on its roads.
He, therefore, urged the Lagos State Government to adopt investor-friendly policies to help keep boat operators in business.
