Barges Conveying Vehicles Detroy Quay Apron At Apapa Port

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Port terminal operator at Apapa port; ENL Consortium has kamented that barge operators, especially the Roll-on Roll-off used to convey vehicles and trucks have recently destroyed the terminal’s quay apron.

The terminal operator said that most of the barges conveying vehicles and trucks do not have adequate ramp equipment to enable them berth properly at the ENL berth.

Barr Boye Uzamot, Legal Adviser to the company told journalists in Lagos that the terminal recently suspended all vehicle-laden barges from calling at its terminal.

He said the damage was caused by one of the RORO barges while discharging vehicles at the terminal for onward operations.

He however assured that the destroyed portion of the quay apron is already being fixed and nearing completion.

Uzamot commended the management of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) led by Hadiza Bala Usman for responding swiftly to fix the affected quay apron damaged by the RORO barge, adding that the company have not totally suspended all barge operations but only for those conveying vehicles.

He maintained that the conventional barges are still calling at the terminal, but that she can no longer entertain any barge that has trucks laden on it for safety reasons.

Barr Uzamot assured that the damaged portion of the quay is near completion, affirming that safety of cargoes and lives must be paramount despite the stakeholders outcry that followed the suspension.

He also debunked insinuation of looming sack of workers saying that the concessionaire has vowed not to dismiss any workers under its employ pointing out that the COVID19 pandemic was not a yardstick to lay off workers.

“Our boss is a mother and she understood what it takes to be unemployed that is why she cannot sack anyone at this point in time.

“The company has not owed workers since inception and sacking is not an option at this time “ he stated.