The Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters of Nigeria (ATBOWATON) on Saturday declared support for President Bola Tinubu and the Lagos State APC Governorship Candidate, Dr Obafemi Hamzat, ahead of the 2027 elections.
The association threw its weight behind Tinubu and Hamzat during a sensitisation campaign at Ijegun Egba Jetty Terminal in Amuwo-Odofin Local Government Area of Lagos.
Speaking, the National President of ATBOWATON, Alhaji Ganiyu Balogun popularly known as Tarzan, said the support was as a result of the years of investment of the President in water transportation and efforts of the successive governments in Lagos State.
Balogun said that many jetties were built during the tenure of Tinubu as governor of the state, adding that his successors had continued building more to open up water transportation with improved security infrastructure.
According to him, members of the association across 35 zones are ready to vote for the re-election of Tinubu and Hamzat as the next governor of the state.
Balogun said, “Our boats operate from Lagos to Benin Republic, Lagos to Ondo. We are here today to throw support to the government that has invested heavily in water transportation and make our operation seamless.
“We are here to declare our support to the President, to show that we appreciate what he has done for us.
“Many thousands of life jackets have been given to us by the Federal Government through the Marine and Blue Economy, National Inlands Waterways, and the Lagos State Waterways Authority.
“We are in support of President Bola Tinubu and Hamzat in 2027. We appreciate what the present government has done for boat operators and other stakeholders in the water transportation sector.
“This government is making life more comfortable for us to operate on the waterways through improved safety measures and the provision of infrastructure, which was not adequately available before.”
According to him, the government has encouraged people like him by recognising his contributions to water transportation and investing in the sector.
“Therefore, we have decided to come together and demonstrate our support for the APC,” he said.
Balogun said that the association would move to Rivers, Cross-Rivers and others states to similarly endorse state governments that had supported Marine and blue economy in Nigeria.
“Before now, we regularly heard about accidents on the waterways, with lives being lost and people dying.
However, nowadays, you hardly hear about such accidents.
“This is because of government intervention and the seriousness demonstrated by the President and the governors responsible for the sector.
“We are now comfortable operating on the waterways because we have established a system of identifying boats and their operators.
“We have no choice but to support them so that they can continue what they have started,” he added.
Calling on boat operators to prioritise safety, Balogun said that one single accident would push many away from embracing water transportation; we cannot afford to lose one single passenger through any carelessness.
“We want them to be comfortable, the more they are comfortable the more they will embrace water transport and patronise us.
“The more they are afraid the more they run away. Let us take security and safety very paramount.
He called on the operators to support Tinubu and Hamzat to ensure continuity of the recorded developments on waterways.
Corroborating, Alhaji Kola Adesiyan, the National Deputy President of ATBOWATON, urged all members of the association to vote overwhelming for Tinubu Hamzat and other APC candidates in the state.
“The nation, Nigeria, has crossed the Red Sea and is now moving to the Promise Land. Tinubu is our candidate for 2027. Hamzat is our governor in 2027,” Adesiyan said.
In his address, Mr Segun Babatunde, the Deputy Chairman of the association in the state, highlighted several achievements of the outgoing Lagos State Government in the water transportation sector, urging the incoming administration to sustain and expand the gains.
Babatunde commended the government for providing additional jetties, supporting the establishment of more fuel stations around waterways and collaborating with the federal government to clear dangerous debris that posed risks to navigation and damaged boats and engines.
“There was a time when we had very few jetties and boat operators faced serious difficulties in accessing suitable places to operate.
“The government listened to our concerns and provided more jetties, making our work easier.
“We also had a time when boat operators had to travel far to the mainland to buy fuel because there were not enough fuel stations close to our waterways.
“We raised this concern, and the government responded by supporting the provision of more fuel stations around our waterways. Today, getting fuel is easier for many of our operators.
“We also faced serious problems with debris in our waterways. These dangerous objects caused boat accidents and damaged our boats and engines.
“After we raised our concerns, the state and federal governments worked together on efforts to remove debris from our waterways. This has helped clear large sections of our waterways and made operations safer,” he said.
He said the association supported Tinubu’s re-election and Hamzat’s governorship bid in the belief that continuity in leadership would sustain development and consolidate existing achievements in Lagos State.
“Although we appreciate the jetties already provided, some remote areas still need more jetties.
“We also need additional fuel stations closer to more waterways so that operators can serve passengers more easily and efficiently.
“We believe that with the right leadership and continued cooperation, these improvements can be achieved.
“Our expectation is that the progress made in water transportation will not stop here.
“We want the incoming governor to continue these efforts and extend them to more communities across Lagos State,” Babatunde said.
He urged the incoming administration to prioritise waterway safety, security, youth employment, financial assistance for boat operators and tourism development.
Babatunde noted that many operators struggled with damaged boats and faulty engines they could not afford to replace.
“Some of our members have lost their boats or are struggling with faulty engines. These challenges have significantly affected their livelihoods and ability to work.
“We appeal to the incoming government to subsidise the cost of boat engines and introduce flexible repayment plans to enable operators to rebuild their businesses, restore their income and return to optimal performance,” he said.
Babatunde also called for sustained debris clearance, the distribution of life jackets, stronger security measures and skills development programmes for youths.
Speaking, the Special Adviser to the Gov., Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Blue Economy, Mr Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, commended the leadership of ATBOWATON for the support, said Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu’s commitment to advancing water transport remains visible to all.
Emmanuel, who was represented by Mr Oladapo Ibrahim, urged members of the association to embrace professionalism, prioritise safety and continue to work with the government in its efforts to develop water transport.
In his goodwill message, Mr Rasaq Olojede, the Chairman, Oriade Local Council Development Area, who applauded the association for its overwhelming support for the progressives, said the ruling party had done a lot to advance water transport since the tenure of Tinubu as governor of the state.
“We now have state-of-the-art jetties, terminals and vessels. We must thank this association also for complying with the safety regulations,” Olojede said.
Olojede said that residents of riverine areas were satisfied with the government’s investments in water transportation infrastructure, particularly the construction of jetties and terminals to ease road congestion and improve connectivity across Lagos.
He said Lagos, being a coastal state with both upland and riverine communities, had benefited significantly from the development of water transportation facilities, adding that passenger traffic had increased tremendously in response to the initiative.
Speaking, Oba Gausu Alani-Rasaki (Obagbade Musa I), the Ovori of Ibeshe Kingdom and Sea Beach, who noted that traditional rulers were not politicians but voters, applauded Tinubu for initiating reforms that had transformed water transportation in Lagos.
themomentng reports that the carnival-like event brought together scores of ATBOWATON members and stakeholders, including traditional rulers
