Boat

By Emmanuel Daniji

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The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) has declared support for President Bola Tinubu’s re-election bid and the governorship ambition of Dr Obafemi Hamzat ahead of the 2027 elections.

The association announced its position during a sensitisation campaign at Ijegun Egba Jetty Terminal in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos State on Saturday.

Its National President, Alhaji Ganiyu Balogun, popularly known as Tarzan, said the endorsement was based on what he described as the government’s investments in water transportation infrastructure and safety.

Balogun said successive Lagos administrations had expanded the number of jetties and improved facilities for boat operators, making it easier for them to move passengers across waterways.

He also praised the distribution of life jackets through the Federal Government, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the National Inland Waterways Authority and the Lagos State Waterways Authority.

According to him, members of the association across its 35 zones were prepared to support Tinubu and Hamzat in the coming elections.

Balogun said the government had also improved safety on the waterways through better identification of boats and their operators, as well as interventions to reduce accidents.

He urged boat operators to maintain high safety standards, warning that a single avoidable accident could discourage passengers from using water transportation.

The association’s National Deputy President, Alhaji Kola Adesiyan, also called on members to support the APC candidates and other party candidates in Lagos State.

Similarly, the association’s Deputy Chairman in Lagos, Segun Babatunde, highlighted the provision of additional jetties, fuel stations around waterways and the removal of dangerous debris as some of the improvements made in the sector.

However, he said more work was needed, particularly in remote riverine communities where access to jetties and fuel stations remained limited.

Babatunde appealed to the incoming administration to introduce financial support for boat operators, including subsidies on boat engines and flexible repayment arrangements for members struggling to replace damaged equipment.

He also called for continued distribution of life jackets, improved security, regular removal of debris from waterways and skills development programmes for young people.

The Special Adviser to Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Blue Economy, Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, represented by Oladapo Ibrahim, commended the association for its engagement with the government.

He urged operators to embrace professionalism, prioritise passenger safety and continue working with relevant agencies to develop the sector.

The Chairman of Oriade Local Council Development Area, Rasaq Olojede, also praised successive APC administrations for their investments in water transportation.

The Ovori of Ibeshe Kingdom and Sea Beach, Oba Gausu Alani-Rasaki, said traditional rulers were not politicians but voters, while commending Tinubu for his contributions to the development of water transportation in Lagos.

The event attracted boat operators, traditional rulers and other stakeholders in the marine and blue economy sector.

Beyond the endorsement, the operators used the gathering to outline issues affecting their businesses, including the cost of boat engines, access to fuel, safety infrastructure and the need to extend water transportation facilities to underserved communities.