Stakeholders in maritime tourism have cautioned that an increase in boat accidents in Nigeria’s waterways might harm the country’s reputation and discourage tourists from participating in water-based activities.

The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria arranged a conference for boat operators and stakeholders on Wednesday in Lagos, where they made that statement.

In addition, the gathering served as a fact-finding expedition to evaluate Lagos’ boat operators’ difficulties and the marine tourism industry as a whole.

The players in the tourism industry bemoaned the absence of sufficient infrastructure, namely navigation signs that indicate safe and risky routes, like green and red flags.

They also expressed dissatisfaction with the lax enforcement of laws that mandated boat operators’ and passengers’ complete compliance.

The Federal, State, and Water Transport Operators are asked to give safety and infrastructure development in the maritime tourism industry first priority, according to FTAN President Mr. Nkereweum Onung.

Onung related his firsthand account of a two-hour boat voyage from CMS in Lagos to Benin Republic, during which he observed the challenges presented by water hyacinths and the lack of appropriate navigational lights.

To avoid mishaps like the recent boat disasters, Onung stated that improved infrastructure is required, including more obvious red and green lights to indicate safe and unsafe regions.

He underlined the significance of ensuring that all boats have enough life jackets and that safety regulations—particularly those pertaining to overloading and navigation markers—are strictly enforced.

Notwithstanding the possibility of mishaps impeding development, Onung emphasised the potential of Nigeria’s waterways for tourist and commercial expansion.

He emphasised that the industry’s potential was still at danger in the absence of appropriate safety regulations and government enforcement.

In order to entice both foreign and Nigerian tourists to visit the nation’s resorts and waterways, the president of FTAN made a plea to the authorities and operators to establish a more appealing and safe maritime tourism environment.

To stop more deaths on Nigeria’s waterways, Tarzan Balogun, National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria, demanded stronger safety laws and enforcement.

Balogun stressed that boat operators were the ones who provided tourists with safe transportation, and they could not afford to endanger lives because of avoidable mishaps.

Although the government is attempting to increase the number of these guidance markers, he stated that prevention should always come before reaction.

Balogun claims that boat transit is essential to drawing tourists to Nigeria’s picturesque rivers as the nation seeks to develop its tourism industry.