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By Steve Agbota [email protected]
As the economic crunch in Nigeria, exacerbated by inflation, naira depreciation and oil price fluctuations, worsens, stakeholders have pointed to maritime tourism as one of the ways to earn foreign exchange to reflate the economy.
However, the journey to earn handsomely from marine tourism is fraught with huge infrastructural challenges.
Nonetheless, calls from stakeholders pushing for an urgent need for the government to invest in water transportation, prioritise safety, and encourage people to patronise water transport in the country, have reached a crescendo.
Currently, Nigeria’s maritime tourism sector lags behind its African counterparts, a situation that risks further decline following recent tragic boat accidents in Niger and Lagos states, which have cast a shadow over the industry’s potential.
The maritime industry stands as a cornerstone of Nigeria’s economy, yet for its tourism potential to truly flourish, the Federal Government must create a conducive environment. This includes revitalizing critical infrastructure and prioritizing the safety of the nation’s waterways to attract investors and reassure tourists.
Nevertheless, tourism stakeholders express deep concern over the insufficient infrastructure, particularly the absence of vital navigation markers like the green and red indicators that signify safe and unsafe routes.
They also raised concerns about the safety of both domestic and international tourists, warning that frequent boat accidents could damage Nigeria’s reputation and deter visitors from engaging in water-based activities.
Currently, the global maritime tourism business is worth over $6.45 trillion, with Nigeria losing out on the massive opportunities embedded in the industry due to the inability of successive governments to design and drive a coordinated policy framework to address this emergent reality.
However, tourism stakeholders said for Nigeria to reap the benefits of marine tourism, there is a need to enforce waterways regulations and ensure that boat operators strictly adhere to them in order to curb the rising boat accidents, which could send the wrong signals to tourists.
Speaking at a fact-finding mission meeting recently to assess the maritime tourism ecosystem and the challenges facing boat operators in Lagos, the President of the Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN), Mr. Nkereuwem Onung, said there is an urgent need for improved safety measures to restore confidence in water-based tourism.
He noted that the recent accident in Lagos, including a tragic boat mishap in Niger state, has raised serious questions about the safety of Nigeria’s waterways.
He pointed out that boat operators and the government must work closely together to prevent such incidents from becoming the norm.
Meanwhile, he highlighted the critical role that maritime tourism could play in boosting the economy, particularly as international travel becomes increasingly expensive for Nigerians.
However, he warned that the sector cannot thrive if safety standards are not strictly enforced.
He called for adherence to safety regulations, such as the use of proper life jackets and well-maintained boats, urging the government to strengthen oversight and ensure proper delineation of water channels to avoid accidents.
He recounted his personal experience during a recent boat ride from Lagos to Porto-Novo, where he observed risks such as water hyacinth and improperly marked channels.
Conversely, he stated that tourism is not just about land-based activities but also about exploring Nigeria’s rich maritime potential, while calling on stakeholders to act swiftly, ensuring that safety concerns are addressed so that tourists can confidently enjoy Nigeria’s waterways.
He also recognized the resilience of boat operators, many of whom have been in the business for decades despite the challenges. He urged the government to support these operators through empowerment programs and better infrastructure to create a safe and thriving maritime tourism ecosystem.
“When we hear of accidents, especially those involving tourists or operators, it immediately sends a negative signal to both local and international visitors. We need to ensure that maritime tourism is safe and enjoyable. Tourists will not come if they fear for their lives.
“Tourism thrives on safety. We cannot invite the world to our shores when we have unresolved safety issues. Improving the sector could position Nigeria as a top destination for water-based tourism in Africa, similar to Florida in the United States,” he said.
Onung urged boat operators to strictly follow safety guidelines, emphasizing the importance of life jackets and standardized safety procedures.
“If we are saying you don’t get on a boat without a life jacket, then we must ensure that this industry is standardized and that it is safe for foreigners and those of us in Nigeria,” he added.
The President of ATBOWATON, Mr. Gani Tarzan Balogun, also called on the government to invest more in water transportation infrastructure, including navigational aids and better funding for marine police.
He attributed a recent boat accident in Niger State to overloading and the boat hitting an object in the water.
“I advise boat operators to enforce safety rules on water and ensure operations end by 6 p.m. daily since there is no navigational equipment for night operation,” Balogun advised.
Meanwhile, Mr. Babatope Fajemirokun, President of WABOTAN, revealed that while operators made 144 trips from Lagos to Porto-Novo in 2023, the number has declined to just 64 trips so far this year.
Despite this, he said operators are working hard to improve water transportation in Nigeria, particularly along the West Coast.
