Rising boat accidents threaten tourism sector – Stakeholders

Maritime tourism stakeholders have warned that rising boat accidents in the waterways could damage Nigeria’s reputation and deter visitors from engaging in water-based activities.

They stated that on Wednesday in Lagos during a meeting of boat operators and stakeholders organised by the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria.

The meeting was also a fact-finding mission to assess the maritime tourism ecosystem and the challenges facing boat operators in Lagos.

The tourism stakeholders lamented the lack of adequate infrastructure—navigation markers, such as the green and red indicators—that denote safe and unsafe routes.

They also complained about the weak enforcement of existing regulations that required full compliance from boat operators and passengers.

The President of FTAN, Mr Nkereweum Onung, urged the Federal, State Governments and water transport operators to prioritise safety and infrastructure development in the maritime tourism sector.

Onung shared a personal experience of a two-hour boat ride from CMS in Lagos to Benin Republic, where he noted the absence of proper navigation lights and the difficulties posed by water hyacinths.

“There is a need for better infrastructure, including more visible red and green lights to mark safe and unsafe areas, to prevent accidents like the recent boat tragedies,” Onung said.

He emphasised the importance of equipping all boats with good life jackets and strict enforcement of safety rules, especially regarding overloading and navigation markers.

Onung underscored the potential of Nigeria’s waterways for tourism and economic growth, noting that accidents could undermine progress.

He stressed that without proper safety standards and government enforcement, the sector’s potential remained at risk.

The FTAN president appealed to the government and operators to create a safer and more attractive maritime tourism environment, which would encourage Nigerians and foreign tourists to explore the country’s waterways and resorts.

The National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, Tarzan Balogun, called for stricter safety regulations and enforcement to prevent further tragedies on the country’s waterways.

Balogun emphasised that tourists depended on boat operators for safe transport and that operators could not afford to risk lives due to preventable incidents.

“We don’t have enough of these navigation signs, but the government is working on it, and prevention should be prioritised overreaction,” he said.

According to Balogun, as Nigeria aims to expand its tourism sector, water transportation is crucial in attracting visitors to explore the country’s scenic waterways.