ATBOWATON Appoints  Two Advisers For National Security On Waterways, Labour Matters

Organized private sector boating services body,  Association of Tourist Boat operators and water Transporters of Nigeria ( ATBOWATON) has appointed two special advisers to help deepen the running of the organization and same breath, sent out warning signals to registered members who ignore distress calls from fellow 0perators in course of accidents or operational difficulties.

 

Those appointed to help ATBOWATON President, Dr Ganiyu Tarzan Balogun to recalibrate the foremost private sector boat operators regulatory body are Mr Tope fajimirokun and Mr Joseph Philip

 

While fajimirokun who is also  the Badagry chapter chairman of the association , takes up additional responsibility as Special Advisor to ATBOWATON  National President on inter government relationship and labour matters, Engineer Joseph Philip,will henceforth process all national security issues on waterways, advice and guide the National President, Dr Gani Tarzan Balogun.

 

According to a statement on Sunday,  all the appointments are of immediate effect.

 

Rising from a meeting with the Board of Trustees, in Badagry over the weekend and attended by Frank Meke( BOT), representing others and Lagos chapter, chairman, Alhaji  Babatunde Lawal, President of the association, Dr Tarzan Balogun disclosed that he needed the help of the two new appointees to chart new areas of ATBOWATON national operations in order to serve members well and to also enthrone democratic engagements expected of a national body.

 

He called on Messers  Tope Fajimirokun and  Joseph Philip to bring their wealth of experience and passion for the industry to bear on their  new assignments, adding

that ATBOWATON has come of age and must be seen to  add value to the development of the system.

 

 

On the rising tide of negative attitude of  operators, particularly those  in Lagos, ignoring calls from distressed  boats , Dr Balogun warned that violators, will be profiled, fined at first instance and on last resort, will face outright expulsion with no options of fine from the association.

 

Lagos chapter chairman, Alhaji Lawal commended the president for the new appointments, saying it will bring more bite and leadership options for the private sector water transportation body in Nigeria.

 

A statement from the operators further noted  to also check the unhealthy breakdown of boat operation ethics, President of the association, said violators of International Maritime Organization ( IMO) , Save Our Soul (SOS) distress call from any boat in trouble, will face serious sanctions, not ruling out expulsion from the association as a last punitive measure.