By Joshua Yousouph
The Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN) has raised concerns over the rising cost of water transportation and the continued use of unsafe wooden and banana boats, calling on governments at all levels to invest more in the sector and provide financial support to operators.
President of WABOTAN, Mr. Tope Fajemirokun, made the appeal while speaking on Villa Square, a special segment of Cr8tive Naija, a weekly tourism and cultural programme aired on Mainland 98.3 FM Lagos.
According to him, escalating fuel prices and harsh economic conditions have significantly increased operating costs for boat owners, making it difficult for them to acquire modern vessels and expand their businesses.
“When you are in business, you must continue to improve and invest in it despite the challenges,” Fajemirokun said, noting that many operators are struggling to sustain their operations amid rising costs.
The WABOTAN President emphasized the need for government intervention to accelerate the replacement of wooden and banana boats with safer and more efficient vessels.
“The government needs to come to our aid, just as the Lagos State Government has been doing. Eliminating banana and wooden boats will be easier if government provides the necessary support and investment,” he stated.
He also highlighted the burden of transportation costs on commuters, citing the example of passengers travelling between Badagry and CMS in Lagos.
According to him, a commuter may spend as much as ₦5,000 on a one-way trip, translating to about ₦10,000 daily for a return journey.
“The cost of water transportation remains high, and this is discouraging many passengers from using the waterways. That is why we are appealing to governments to invest more in the sector,” he said.
Fajemirokun argued that increased public investment would not only make water transportation more affordable but also unlock the immense economic opportunities within Nigeria’s blue economy.
Despite the challenges, he commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) for their continued collaboration with WABOTAN in promoting safety and regulatory compliance across the waterways sector.
He disclosed that the association has conducted two safety induction programmes this year and is planning another before August as part of efforts to prepare operators for the rainy season.
Fajemirokun also acknowledged LASWA’s recent efforts to clear water hyacinth from Lagos waterways, describing the exercise as critical to improving navigation and reducing safety risks.
Also speaking on the programme, veteran tourism and maritime journalist Frank Meke urged governments to take deliberate steps toward developing water transportation as a viable alternative to the nation’s overstretched road network.
He noted that persistent traffic congestion, particularly around Apapa and other commercial corridors, underscores the need for greater investment in inland water transport infrastructure.
“Our roads are heavily congested. Imagine the impact if government invested more in water transportation. The blue economy holds enormous potential, but there appears to be more lip service than concrete action,” Meke said.
He further advocated the provision of soft loans to boat operators to enable them acquire modern vessels, while also calling for regular training of boat captains, crew members and passengers to improve safety standards.
Meke stressed that states with extensive inland waterways, including Kwara, Niger, Benue and Taraba, stand to benefit significantly from improved water transport systems, particularly in the movement of agricultural produce.
He therefore urged government to declare a state of emergency in the water transportation sector and prioritize investments capable of transforming the waterways into a safe, affordable and efficient transportation alternative for Nigerians.
Fajemirokun concluded by reiterating the importance of safety, urging operators and passengers to make the use of life jackets mandatory on every trip, especially during the rainy season.
