Boat mishaps: Tourism operators ask FG to enforce mandatory use of life jackets

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) says maritime authorities should enforce mandatory use of life jackets by passengers to reduce the rate of casualties in boat mishaps nationwide.

On October 1, a boat conveying over 300 passengers to Gbajibo for the Mawlid celebration, capsized in Mokwa LGA of Niger state.

After the incident, the Niger State Emergency Management Agency (NSEMA) announced that 42 persons had died from the boat accident.

On Tuesday, 21 passengers lost their lives after two boats drowned at Imore town in Amuwo-Odofin LGA of Lagos state.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos on Wednesday, Nkereuwem Onung, national president of FTAN, said recent boat mishaps in Niger and Lagos states were alarming.

Onung noted that mishaps were avoidable, adding that ignoring safety rules and overloading by operators hinder Nigeria’s marine tourism growth and development.

The FTAN president condoled with bereaved families, while urging boat operators and Nigerians to strictly observe waterway safety guidelines.

“FTAN is worried over certain developments in the tourism sector. It is absolutely wrong to go on a boat without life jackets,” NAN quoted Onung as saying.

“Safety rules on Nigeria’s waterways should be strictly adhered to.

“Putting into consideration that boat operators are our members, we want government and boat operators to be proactive in ensuring all forms of negligence are curtailed on the waterways.

“The government and the private sector operators should come together to uphold safety rules to bring about economic prosperity to the nation.

“This economic prosperity can only be achieved through frequent use of the waterways for trade, tourism, and transportation.

“When we continue to record cases of boat mishaps, local and international tourists will be discouraged from exploring our waterways, and there is huge money to be made on the water.”

Onung applauded the Lagos government for progress made on waterway infrastructure and urged other states to follow suit.

He commended the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) for their cordial relationship.

The FTAN president added that the government’s synergy with boat operators is crucial for Nigeria’s marine tourism growth.

On his part, Bolaji Mustapha, national president of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), asked boat operators to provide a pre-trip safety briefing.

Mustapha said this would guide tourists and travelers in emergency situations on waterways.

“Nigerians should always abide by the stipulated safety rules on the waterways — boat operators across the country should desist against making any trip on the waterways beyond 6.00 p.m, as it could be dangerous,” the NATOP president said.

“Just as we have air hostesses intimate travellers on safety rules before an aircraft takes off, this should be replicated in the case of water transport as well.

“Boat operators should ensure this is done so that victims of boat mishaps can be knowledgeable on what to do in such dangerous circumstances.”