Nigerian Barge Operators Divert 80% Attention To Export Containers

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) has said that it is now prioritising movement of export cargoes to the port through the waterways, saying that eighty percent of its operations would now be focused on exports rather than import containers.

The association also revealed that it is working with the Nigerian Shippers Council to bring about a stable price regulation regime for barging activities.

Vice President of the association, Mr Olubunmi Olumekun stated this on Wednesday when he led other members of the association on a visit to condole with the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman over the recent burning of the NPA corporate headquarters at Marina Lagos by hoodlums.

The association condemned the destruction of the NPA building by hoodlums, describing the NPA building as one of the legacies of past heroes which was developed by tax payers money.

He said BOAN is ready to show support to the NPA at this critical time.

Olumekun however lamented that export cargoes are not being given adequate attention at Nigerian ports, saying that henceforth, the barge operators would ensure that eighty percent attention is placed on exports.

Speaking he said “We specifically made it that barging is mainly for exports, our eighty percent focus should be on export, and this is what we are still standing on, export is supposed to be our priority. We are working on increasing this henceforth ”

Speaking on the purpose of the visit to NPA, the BOAN Vice President stated that “We are here today to show moral support to the NPA, we know what the NPA has lost, being our principal in the management of barge operations”

“We are here to give our own moral support to them, at this crucial time of our country, we want to support them so that the good work they started can be concluded”

“What we have lost, is that these assets that were destroyed are our heroes efforts, we need to know that all these properties belong to us, these properties were built with our taxes and with our efforts”

Olumekun also noted its support for the government cancellation of barge activities at the Marina, saying that none of its members are supposed to operate at the Marina in Lagos.

“License is being given by NPA based on your jetty, and I dont thing NPA would ever license anybody on the marina, because the marina is not meant for barges, we have the Mile 2 axis, we have Ikorodu and Badagry areas, marina was never licensed by anybody”

“We are engaging the Nigerian Shippers Council on the charges because barging has come to stay, it is a means of transportation, and we have four means of transportation in all civilised countries, the water, road, by air, and by rail”

“The government is currently working on the rail, and we are now calling on them to develop the waterways too.
When we use the barges from here to Ondo, Bayelsa and Delta state, the pressure on the road would decrease” he said