The Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association (WABOTAN) has said that it is approaching the Lagos State government to seek control and management of the newly inaugurated jetties by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu across the waterways, recently.
The Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, recently commissioned seven newly constructed jetties which include the Ijegun-Egba Jetty, Ilashe Jetty in Amuwo-Odofin, Isalu-Ajido Jetty and Marina Badagry Jetty.
Speaking with journalists at the association’s secretariat in Apapa recently, president of WABOTAN, Comrade Babatope Fajemirokun, said the association has the capacity and manpower to manage the jetties on behalf of the government.
Comrade Fajemirokun also attributed the reduction in boat accidents on Lagos waterways to constant sensitisation and training of boat drivers by WABOTAN.
“We identify with the Lagos State government in building these jetties. Where there are good jetties, it promotes waterways safety.
“WABOTAN is a major stakeholder and we feel we have a major role to play in managing these jetties.
“What we seek is concessioning and any other partnership that they deem fit to enter with us in order to ensure that the jetties are put into profitable use and they are sustainable in terms of maintenance and cost of running them.”
“WABOTAN is highly experienced and capable to run these jetties. Don’t forget that we also have a registered corporative society regulated by the Lagos State Government.
“We have all it takes to run the jetties as concessionaires. In fact, we have what it takes to run all the jetties, we have the experience, the manpower, including other federal jetties across Nigeria because we are national,” Comrade Fajemirokun stated.
Also speaking, the Public Relations Officer of WABOTAN, Chief Raymond Gold, noted that training is the core of what WABOTAN does to build capacity and also improve safety on the waterways.
“Our training is a very comprehensive one. The last one we had in November last year, all the major stakeholders were there. They all endorsed the training and provided resources for the training. The firefighting service was there, NPA, NIWA LASWA, NIMASA as well as the Lagos State Safety and Rescue Team were all there. The major stakeholders signed the certificate of participation which was issued to all trainees at the end of the training.
“This year, we are taking steps further than what we did last year. The same stakeholders would be there, and we plan to produce souvenir brochures for the event.
“After the training for our members, we are going to have the leadership training for next year, for people who are leaders, the major stakeholders, ministries and departments would be part of this programme.”
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