By Providence Ayanfeoluwa

Chairman of Bras Marine, Prince Yomi Sonuga, has stressed the need for improved safety standards on Nigeria’s waterways, saying this remains a critical factor in unlocking the vast economic and tourism potential of the nation’s coastal and riverine communities.

Speaking during a media tour of two Lagos resorts, he said that despite Nigeria’s extensive coastline and inland waterways, the sector remains largely underutilised, with water transportation accounting for only a fraction of the movement of people and goods that should ordinarily take place on the waterways.

According to him, one of the major challenges slowing the growth of water transportation is the widespread use of old and fairly used boats by private and commercial operators.

He explained that many of these vessels are plagued by safety concerns and inadequate navigational aids, discouraging many Nigerians from embracing water travel, particularly in Lagos and other coastal locations.

He said the consequence has been increased pressure on road infrastructure, forcing government to invest heavily in road networks that continue to grapple with severe traffic congestion. “We need to open up our waterways to fully tap into the tourism potential of our country,” Sonuga said.

He maintained that improving safety would boost public confidence and drive growth in aqua tourism, adding that more Nigerians should embrace the culture of acquiring new boats for personal and commercial purposes, adding that the gradual introduction of newer vessels on the waterways is beginning to change public perception of water transportation.

Sonuga disclosed that Bras Marine is contributing to this transformation as the authorised dealer of SeaRay boats in Nigeria, West and Central Africa, as well as the authorised dealer of Mercury marine engines within the same territories. He added that access to specialised after-sales services is equally important in ensuring vessels remain in optimal condition and deliver world-class experiences for users.

He further stated that SeaRay recognises Nigeria’s enormous potential in aqua tourism and sees the promotion of new boats as a strategic step towards developing the sector.

He pointed out that increased availability of modern boats would make coastal resorts more accessible by ferrying larger numbers of tourists, thereby enhancing the viability of tourism-related businesses, saying that with sustained investments in safety, modern vessels and tourism infrastructure, Nigeria could emerge as a leading global aqua tourism destination in the years ahead.

“As an organisation, we want to build interest among Nigerians to embrace a culture of aqua tourism by serving as a catalyst for growth in boat sales and after-sales services,” he said.