Investigations by Shipping Position Daily have revealed that no fewer than 500 wooden boat operators across Lagos State may lose their means of livelihoods, following the directive of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to phase-out wooden boats from the nation’s waterways.
This revelation emerged from reactions of boat operators and stakeholders who warned that while the directive is aimed at enhancing safety and standardization of water transportation, it could trigger widespread unemployment among riverine dwellers who depend largely on wooden boats for daily transportation and income.
Recall that the Federal Government has urged state governments to halt the use of wooden boats and adopt those of fiber and aluminium to enhance safety, promote modern water transportation and reduce accidents.
Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy said this in a statement while commiserating with families of the deceased in the recent Shagari boat mishap in Sokoto State. He noted that the tragic mishaps were a direct consequence of the continued reliance on unsafe boats.
However, stakeholders who spoke with Shipping Position Daily last week are now calling on the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), and operators’ unions to design a phased replacement plan that integrates training, financing, and use of fibre boats to minimize job losses.
Our correspondent who took a survey of wooden boats across Lagos jetties observed that the operations are widely spread among coastal communities, with each axis hosting clusters of boats serving both commuters and traders. At the CMS–Bishop Koji–Sabokoji route, an average of 20 wooden boats are engaged in daily passenger movement. The Liverpool/Mile 2 corridor accounts for about 50 boats, while the Badagry axis, stretching from Agido to Badagry town and surrounding villages, records over 50 boats in constant use.
In Ikorodu and adjoining riverine settlements, about 50 wooden boats operate in rotation, with between 20 and 30 active on any given day. Other locations such as Apapa, Takwa Bay, Snake Island and several smaller coastal communities also host clusters of boats, each averaging about 20 vessels per location.
When summed up, stakeholders estimate that there are between 500 and 1,000 wooden boats operating within Lagos waters alone. Of these, at least 500 are actively engaged in daily services, underscoring the scale of potential job losses should the Federal Government’s directive on phasing out wooden boats be fully enforced.
Speaking with our correspondent last week, the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) District Chairman of Boat operators, Comrade Paul Nwang, warned that the directive could displace more than 1,000 wooden boats currently operating across Lagos, putting the livelihoods of their owners and operators at risk.
According to him, wooden boats remain the dominant means of transportation in many Lagos riverine communities, especially where road access is poor or non-existent. Nwang explained that many operators are uneducated and learned the trade within their communities, starting with paddle boats before progressing to motorized wooden boats.
The MWUN chieftain admitted that fuel scarcity and high operating costs have already reduced the number of fibre boats in operation. He also noted that while safety concerns are valid, new government policies should be channeled through the union, which represents the workers, rather than being implemented without adequate consultation.
“The number of wooden boats we have in Lagos are many — maybe more than a thousand — because if you go to most of the villages, that is what they are using. Most of these wooden boat people are not schooled. This is the only work they know. If the government insists on phasing them out, then small fibre boats should be made available at subsidized rates or given out on loan for repayment over time,” Nwang said.
On his part, Secretary of the Lagos State Chapter of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Mr. Ayomikun Aworetan urged policy makers to consider converting wooden boat for cargo operations, rather than eliminating them completely.
According to him, the plan to replace wooden boats with fibre ones is primarily aimed at improving safety standards, given the higher risks passengers face during long journeys on wooden boats. He explained that the prolonged hours passengers spend on wooden boats increase the chances of accidents, while fibre boats are faster and safer for human movement.
Aworetan revealed that despite government efforts, wooden boats remain widespread across Lagos, especially along routes linking riverine communities. He estimated that over 500 wooden boats are actively operating across Lagos, stressing that they remain the backbone of the informal marine transport sector.
The ATBOWATON chair maintained that separating cargo and passenger operations would improve safety without displacing hundreds of operators who depend on wooden boats for survival. For now, he insists, the practical solution lies in restructuring usage: wooden boats for goods, fibre boats for passengers.
“Phasing-out wooden boats does not mean unemployment. It is just a way of standardizing operations. Wooden boats should be used for cargo, while fibre boats should carry passengers. You can’t combine cargo and passengers in the same vessel,” Aworetan advised.
