WABOTAN President Decries High Cost of Water Transportation

The President of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association of Nigeria (WABOTAN), Tope Fajemirokun, has expressed concern over the high cost of water transportation in Nigeria, describing it as a major obstacle to the growth and adoption of water travel across the country.

Speaking during a live radio programme in Lagos, Fajemirokun noted that commuters currently spend more on water transportation than on road travel, making it difficult for many Nigerians to embrace the waterways as a viable alternative means of transportation.

According to him, a passenger travelling between Badagry and CMS in Lagos may spend about ₦5,000 per trip, amounting to approximately ₦10,000 daily for a return journey.

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He attributed the high fares to rising operational costs, particularly the increase in fuel prices, which has significantly impacted boat operators and hindered their ability to acquire new vessels and expand their businesses.

Fajemirokun urged governments at all levels to invest more in water transportation infrastructure and provide financial support to private operators to help reduce costs and improve service delivery.

The WABOTAN President also commended the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA) for their continued commitment to safety on Nigeria’s waterways.

He disclosed that the association has intensified safety awareness campaigns among its members ahead of the rainy season, including the organisation of safety induction programmes and stakeholder engagements involving regulators, media practitioners and industry operators.

Fajemirokun highlighted LASWA’s recent efforts in clearing water hyacinth from Lagos waterways, noting that the invasive aquatic plant poses serious navigation and safety challenges.

While acknowledging the support received from both NIWA and LASWA, he expressed concern over recurring waterway accidents in Rivers and Bayelsa States, especially during the rainy season, and said the association was working with regulators to strengthen sensitisation efforts in those areas.

He further called for government intervention to facilitate the gradual replacement of unsafe wooden and banana boats with safer and more modern vessels through grants, soft loans and other support mechanisms.

Also speaking on the programme, veteran maritime journalist Frank Meke stressed the need for greater government commitment to developing the nation’s water transportation sector.

Meke noted that improved investment in waterways would help reduce pressure on congested road networks and unlock the vast potential of Nigeria’s blue economy.

He advocated a state of emergency in the water transportation sector and called for soft loans to enable operators acquire modern boats. He also emphasized the importance of continuous training for boat captains, crew members and passengers, particularly as the rainy season approaches.

Both speakers agreed that safety must remain the top priority in water transportation, urging operators to ensure strict compliance with safety regulations and the compulsory use of life jackets by all passengers.