- Waterfront Boat Operators report a 60% drop in operations due to the removal of fuel subsidies affecting boat fares
- Boat operators experience a significant decline in patronage with a decrease in daily boat trips in Lagos State
Members of the Waterfront Boat Owners and Transporters Association (WABOTAN) have reported a significant drop in their operations of at least 60% over the last five months. The operators attribute this decline to the removal of fuel subsidies.
According to the National Public Relations Officer of WABOTAN, Chief Raymond Gold, since the removal of fuel subsidy in May, boat operators have experienced a sharp decrease in patronage. This is evident in the reduction of daily boat trips. For example, the number of boats operating from Liverpool to Badagry has decreased from about 20 to only three or four boats per day.
Before the fuel subsidy removal, water travel was considered cheaper and often faster than road travel. However, with the increase in fuel prices in May, boat fares have sometimes doubled. As a result, more people have begun to consider travelling by road, leading to a decline in boat transportation patronage.
Ayomikun Aworetan, the Secretary of the Lagos state chapter of the Association of Tourist Boat Operators and Water Transporters (ATBOWATAN), also confirmed the sharp drop in boat transportation patronage in Lagos State.
Lagos reopens Mile 12 international market
The Lagos State Government, on Monday, ordered the reopening of Mile 12 International Market after it was sealed on Friday.
The Environment and Water Resources Commissioner, Mr Tokunbo Wahab, said the market was reopened after a thorough assessment. The assessment covered environmental compliance, waste management practices, and general cleanliness within the market.
He noted that issues critical to the environment, public health and safety were not negotiable, as the government would not watch helplessly as those values were compromised and eroded by the conduct of a few people.
“We cannot continue to be calm about our environment. Our negative attitude towards the environment must stop.