Nigeria’s quest for attracting investment to maritime tourism received a boost as Lagos State Government says it is fully prepared to host the forthcoming international boat race.
The General Manager of Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), Emmanuel Oluwadamilola, on Friday said the state had over the years invested heavily in safety infrastructure to secure its waterways.
He explained that Lagos had consistently enhanced facilities, making it the safest state for water transportation in Nigeria, with all necessary safety infrastructure in place.
Oluwadamilola said patrol boats had been deployed, while collaboration with the Marine Police and the Nigerian Navy would ensure effective surveillance across the waterways.
He added that Lagos now operated a control room using advanced technology to monitor waterways, describing it as the best time to host such an event.
According to him, the government had also undertaken shoreline cleaning, provided security boats, and designated docking zones for vessels participating in the competition.
“We are delighted this race can now happen in Lagos, proving the state’s readiness and capacity to successfully host such an international event,” he said.
Nigeria’s maritime tourism sector has immense potential due to its extensive coastline, natural beauty, and rich cultural heritage, but it remains underdeveloped and faces challenges including poor infrastructure, inconsistent policies, inadequate security, and low public awareness. To unlock this potential, there’s need for significant investment in modern facilities, robust public-private partnerships, enhanced safety and security, community development, and multi-sectoral collaboration to create a thriving maritime tourism industry and boost economic growth.
