FTAN seeks necessary use of life jackets on waterways
By Taiye Olayemi
The Federation of Tourism Associations of Nigeria (FTAN) on Wednesday known as for the necessary use of life jackets by folks on waterways and adherence to different security guidelines.
Mr Nkereuwem Onung, National President of FTAN, throughout an interactive session with the media in Lagos, mentioned that the affiliation was nervous concerning the latest boat mishaps in Lagos and Niger states.
Onung mentioned it was disheartening to know that the boat mishaps might have been prevented as some passengers refused to make use of life jackets whereas one other boat was overloaded.
He mentioned fixed careless angle of ignoring security guidelines on the waterways would hinder the nation from making headway in grooming its marine tourism financial system like different nations of the world.
He sympathised with the households of those that misplaced their lives as he suggested boat operators and Nigerians typically to at all times adhere to security guidelines on the waterways.
“FTAN is nervous over sure developments within the tourism sector. It is completely flawed to go on a ship with out life jackets. Safety guidelines on Nigeria’s waterways ought to be strictly adhered to.
“Putting into consideration that boat operators are our members, we wish authorities and boat operators to be proactive in guaranteeing all type of negligence is curtailed on the waterways.
“Government and the personal sector operators ought to come collectively to uphold security guidelines to result in financial prosperity to the nation.
“This financial prosperity can solely be achieved by means of frequent use of the waterways for commerce, 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,” he mentioned.
Onung suggested state governments to work on guaranteeing the wanted infrastructure are in place on the waterways as he counseled the Lagos State authorities for taking the lead.
He mentioned his latest journey from Lagos to Port Novo, in Benin Republic, was a watch opener to the truth that Lagos state had completed rather a lot on the waterways however extra wanted to be completed.
He counseled the cordial relationship between the Nigeria Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
He additionally counseled the boat operators for his or her resilience in creating the Nigerian marine financial system to this point.
He mentioned authorities at totally different ranges wanted to work in synergy with boat operators to spice up the large marine tourism financial system in Nigeria.
“Please, as boat operators, let’s not function exterior the recognized guidelines, we ought to be involved about encouraging vacationers to discover our waterways and never scare them by these boat mishaps.
“Nigeria’s waterways continues to be under-utilised. The vacation spot Lagos is nicely developed for tourism, we simply want the appropriate infrastructure on water to help tourism actions.
“Nigerians’ purchasing power is now minimal in other countries, so, let us encourage one another to unwind within the country as we also encourage water tourism,” he mentioned.
Earlier, Mr Ganiyu Balogun, National President of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON), defined the unlucky incident that led to the latest boat mishaps.
Balogun, who can also be the Chief Executive Officer of Tarzan Boat, mentioned, “it is disheartening to know that some passengers can be so careless and stubborn, not to use their life jackets before going on water, even after being told the implications.”
He, nevertheless, suggested Nigerians to at all times abide by the stipulated security guidelines on the waterways.
He additionally suggested boat operators throughout the nation towards making any journey on the waterways past 6.00 p.m, because it might be harmful.
He famous that although authorities was making an attempt by way of putting in the wanted infrastructure on the waterways however there have been nonetheless inadequate navigation indicators.
Also, Mrs Bolaji Mustapha, National President of the Nigeria Association of Tour Operators (NATOP), suggested boat operators on the necessity to at all times reel out security tricks to passengers earlier than embarking a visit from the jetty.
Mustapha mentioned this might at all times information vacationers, travellers or boat customers on the neccesary issues to be completed every time they discover themselves in life threatening state of affairs whereas on board on the waterways.
“Just as now we have air hostesses intimate travellers on security guidelines earlier than an plane takes off, this ought to be replicated within the case of water transport as nicely.
“Boat operators should ensure this is done so that victims of boat mishaps can be knowledgeable on what to do in such dangerous circumstances,” she mentioned.
Mr Tope Fajemirokun, National President, Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), reiterated the affiliation’s dedication towards altering the narrative on Nigeria’s waterways by means of annual coaching of boat operators, drivers and jetty operators. (NAN) (nannews.ng)
