Improving Sustainability In Aquatic tourism Sector

By Ebere Chibuzor

President, Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), Mr Gani Tarzan Balogun has called on Lagos State Government to create enabling environment for practitioners in aquatic tourism.

Balogun, who is also the Managing Director, Tarzan Marine Enterprises Nigeria Limited, has described policy inconsistency as a major challenge confronting ATBOWATON in its effort to achieve development in aquatic tourism businesses.

Also, it has recalled that Balogun had reiterated, there was limited fuel stations in the water coastlines. And such development, he noted, would be taken its heavy toll on aquatic tourism.

This observation was made by Balogun, who recently organised a boat cruise for female journalists in tourism, thereafter, he urged the government to also exploits virgin route. In buttressing the claims, he noted, opening of new creeks would generate more revenue to the state.

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For example, from Lagos Island, boat can take one to Isolo which is on the mainland.

There is a channel at Okafa, taking a boat from Ibese to that place won’t take more than 40 minutes, but if it was by road, it could take over three hours to the place.

There is a creek at Isolo, government needs to tap on it. Again, when an operator buys a boat, payment and registration and other taxes have to be made to the government accounts.

And so government will make money from it. And that would equally help to decongest road usage.

Continued, he stated out that LASG has atleast built two commercial fuel stations, one at Ikorodu and the other in Falomo.

There are many boats and we have only two fuel stations and these stations are not enough. Fuel stations need to be built in some strategic locations, especially at their take off points.

While appealing on the government, needs to provide infrastructures on the waterways, he notably described limited fuel stations, lack of dredging and provision of security among others as part of challenges inhibiting growth in aquatic businesses.

Balogun recalling that late Lateef Jakande, then indigenous civilian governor of Lagos State opened waterways terminals, he made people understood why they would indulge in the business.

And that you can move people from one end to another and cut off traffic. As from today going to Badagry from Lagos by road will take about four hours but by boat it will take about one hour to get to same Badagry.

So he has made waterways accessible to everybody. “We are not making use of the water to the fullest though. Jakande had laid the waterways foundation , we are enjoying and that is the reason behind ATBOWATON call to immortalise and name one terminal after him.

Speaking, every day of my life at the water front, I remember 10 years ago or 15 years ago one would see Tarzan boat and maybe two other boats that ply from Ikorodu to Lagos and today the story has changed and interested, especially working days one could see more than 50 boats going back and forth.

While appealing, government officials to financially support the upcoming ones in the waterways business, he pointed out that waterways activities are gradually moving towards attaining topmost height.