Mr Nkereweum Onung is the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN). He spoke to Joshua Yousouph during a recent event in Lagos. He says that there is no alternative to safety if Nigeria wants to maximise the huge potentials in waterways transportation
The Lagos state government recently launched some boats and it was said that the boats would be handed over to private operators to boost capacity on waterways. Have the boats been handed over? If No, what are the issues?
The empowerment that is being done by Lagos state is ongoing, and the association is in touch with the government on this. What we would like to say at this point is that negotiations are still going on. And what we saw was just the first step that looks like launching the programme. And I don’t think there’s a disagreement right now between the government and the boat operators because we are still negotiating. When we are done with that, we will let you know. That was just like a launch. Most of the boats are being involved and I’m sure that at the end, there will be an agreement and proper allocation as promised by the government to boat operators. If you also agree with me that no matter how you want to talk about it, if they deploy the boats to the littoral waters, it will still be the boat operators that will operate them, no matter how you look at it.
You said you are still negotiating. It’s been two months since those boats were launched. Where are the boats? Are they just lying down idle?
Even you can’t see the boats. You can see why we are saying that we are still negotiating.
You mentioned that you took a boat ride from CMS to Port Norvo recently. I would like to ask what are the infrastructures you think are missing that you think the government needs to put in place or improve on?
Talking about infrastructure, the trip from CMS to Port Norvo was an interesting one. Like I told you, I travelled in an open local boat. We could see a few checkpoints manned by Customs, Police and other agencies on the way. Like I said, two hours on that trip was within Nigeria. On the other side, as you’re entering Port Norvo, there were water hyacinth on the waterways. We had to be moving close to the shore because of the kind of boats we used. We saw a few ‘red spots’, demarcating areas that are not safe and all of that. We also had a very experienced boat operator. And I think that’s one of the gifts and assets of this industry- the boat operators. So, the government is running a scheme and you think that it can be done without the operators, I don’t think so. Because I believe that the expertise that they already have will help with what is needed to have a safe waterway. So, there was nothing much that happened on the trip. Since we didn’t carry anything, we just boarded in. Then as you drive and move in, when you go to a Police or a Navy check, you slow down and they check who is there and you move on. That’s what happened.
But we’re also looking at the transit component of that trip. That’s actually why I made that trip. That means it is possible for us to have lunch in Cotonou and have dinner in Lagos. That’s where we are. With concern about the infrastructure, you heard the President of ATBOWATON talking about the fact that if people are not supposed to move after 6 p.m. and you do so, what do you expect? So those rules should be enforced. Boat operators should not do their travels at night. Like he said, sometimes boat operators should lock their boats if passengers refuse to comply or even the government representatives should be in each of those beaches and jetties. There’s a beach in Uyo where nobody would even let me climb the dock without a jacket. You don’t even get near there. So, these are things I believe could be done. We have our counterparts on the other side that will ensure most of the infrastructure on the area of their waterways safety. But for us here, I think we are fine. All we need to do is that we don’t go there illegally. You carry your passports if you have to, or whatever identity you need to show such as your personal ID card and all the rest. And once that is done, I think that you are free to go. The water can be safer than it is if both the government and operators abide by the rules.
What do you think are the roles of the state governments in enhancing the safety of our waterways within their states without power tussle with NIWA over control?
I’m sure if you have the privilege of walking into the LASWA office, you will be able to see a live screen that will show you everything that happens on the waterways here in Lagos up to Badagry. You can see, point by point, everything that happens and we need to commend the Lagos State Government for that. Now, policies are made and should be understood by all parties including the state and federal government agencies. This is why we are saying that we know the rules at the jetty, and it should be adhered to. You know that by 7p.m, you should not take off your boats and carry any passenger no matter what it is. So, if that policy is not so respected, the government would have done its own part. I think I want to commend the relationship between NIWA and LASWA. You would have expected that there would be conflicts, but they managed each other very well. I can tell you that, so I’m not talking about what I don’t know. I know that those two agencies have been able to work together, despite some things that you think would bring conflicts between the Lagos State powers, because they own the littoral waters and you also know that the federal government has some entitlement through NIWA. So, I would like to commend them for that.
Back in the 90s and in the 80s, we used to experience entertainment life, as far as tourism is concerned, along the coastline particularly during festivals. But today, we don’t really have such lifestyle again. What do you think is responsible for this and how can it be revamped?
If you look at Lagos State’s mission for tourism, there’s the right-hand side. I was with the commissioner yesterday and I told her Madam, your right-hand side is entertainment and she laughed. Now, what is that entertainment? Music, Fashion and Film. That’s on the right-hand side. And so, I believe that this destination has been so developed that certain things are already on ground. That lifestyle you’re talking about, we are the ones who are going to make sure it returns. A lot is going on. You may not know. If you ask this Kingfisher man, he’ll tell you. If you ask the President of Nigeria Tour Operators, she will tell you how many South Africans she will bring here and pick these boats across in the night. A lot is happening. And so, we believe that we can emphasize more on it. That’s why you see us out here. We say we need safe waterways. What is going to happen in Lagos between now and December? I’m sure you know. So, Lagos will show you. A lot is happening. It’s the entertainment center of the world. Don’t be angry. That’s what we are. That’s what Lagos is. So, that will return if safety is ensured. And I believe that we’re going to see those kinds of things return. Especially, the purchasing power of Nigerians can’t do much out there. We need to do more for ourselves. And so, that’s why this water must be safe. That lifestyle you’re talking about will return fully and everyone can participate. Not just in a certain class because you see a certain class enjoys that. It’s still going on. But we want more people to be put into that umbrella where we can all have good entertainment around the littoral waters of Lagos.
Can you share with us what value that we can get from building a working and functional maritime tourism industry compared to neighboring countries who are doing very well?
With 852 kilometers of coastline in our country, I would like to let you know that with about nine seaports, the value of the blue economy is tremendous. And when we are talking about what happens on water, what we say is that let more people leave the land and take the waterways. So that’s making it safe because 50 percent of trade in our country comes in through the blue waters. And when we are looking at what that could do, I am from Akwa Ibom State and we can have natural fishing ports there. So, this is why we need to give value to the blue and brown economy. It’s huge. Most people would not know, but those who operate this environment such as the businessmen know. You would remember who tarred the road on the port, just one single individual. And it’s not because he has too much money. He needs that road to work for his business.
You talked about security, but I want to look at concerns about pollution and the environment. What role are your organisation and government agencies playing in engaging communities to preserve the marine ecosystem?
Speaking about pollution, we should also consider the issue of water hyacinth. That is one problem we also have, but let me not go there. When government itself wants to eliminate it, and the things that go wrong, it’s like trying to construct certain things that are not available. Government tries to do it. But I think that the nature of our nation and the things that go with it makes some things difficult. It’s like a road you could do for N5 Million; you now say it is N50Million. So, it’s the same thing with the water hyacinth thing. And I think that the government has a policy to make all of those things safe. Like what the ATBOWATON President said, if you have those demarcations that show that this is dangerous on the waterways, because no matter how big your engine, if it runs into a rock, it’s going to spoil the engine, and there will be problems. So, I believe that we can do more. The issue of clean water and the clean waterways is not to be over-emphasized. It’s something that we all need to do. And I want is to be strategic in doing all of this. Sometimes when we want to blame the government, if you’re not in government, you won’t know how handicapped government is sometimes, in terms of what do we produce? Where is the money? We’re here and we saw what happened with the refinery. That one man is able to build a refinery that the whole country couldn’t put their own together. And after the refinery came on board, we could see what happened. Nigerians can do better. So, what we’re saying is that it is possible that the waterways can be saved. There’s huge potential in it and we are already seeing it.
How do you think safety procedures can be effectively enforced on the waterways?
When safety procedures are neglected, there will be problems. We all know those safety procedures. The government has stated them. The owners of the boats have stated them. But you see people want to cut corners. If he does not take the key or whatever and go home, a servant of his might see a sharp business and take the boat by 8pm to do his business. If something happens, they will mention the name of the owner of the boat. So, I believe that enforcement of the regulations is possible. And I don’t want us to see that enforcement at most times is by the government when it is agreed to be a decision. It will help us. Negligence will always lead to accidents. A sinner will always suffer recourse whether you like it or not. Whether you want to believe it or not, sin is bad for whatever reason. There’s always what to pay when you go off the rules. And I think that’s what we need to advise the people who are in this sector. Because I think the potential, like you said, if you go and look at it, is not the one that we’re going to leave the sector and just roll the way, it’s been doing before. We believe that it is time for us to make sure that together the government and the private sector will join hands together and make this water safe for us and we enjoy prosperity. That has always been my key word. If we’re not enjoying prosperity, there’s no need for all of these.
