Barge operators in talks with Shippers’ Council over price review

The leadership of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) has stated that plans are afoot to partner the Nigerian Shippers’ Council on regulation of charges on consignments.

Vice President of the association, Otunba Olubunmi Olumekun disclosed this on Wednesday,  shortly after a courtesy visit to the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over the recent destruction carried out by hoodlums during the #EndSARS protest.

Olumekun who was in company of the association’s Secretary, Sola Yusuf, stated the need to identify with the apex maritime agency at its trying time was pertinent.

Olumekun who noted that barge operations have come to stay in the maritime operations, added that moves are ongoing to prioritize export commodities .

He said more emphasis would be placed on exported goods, noting that the introduction of barge operations was originally aimed at promoting exportation considering the deplorable condition of the port access roads.

He advocated for an exported dedicated terminal where ships will be loading only export cargo to other parts of the world.

Olumekun said, “We are engaging the Nigerian Shippers Council on the need to fine-tune charges associated with barge operations.

“Barging has come to stay because it is a means of transportation and we have various means of transportation in which  water transportation is one of them.

“In every advanced country of the world, water transportation plays key role to boost trade facilitation .

He also called on the federal government to invest immensely to boost water transportation as alternative to road.

Speaking on the damage done to the NPA building, while condemning the act, he maintained that the association stood with the agency and was ready to support it.

His words, “We need to give them  our own moral support and that is why we are here to visit the agency and I must tell you that the property belongs to us all and it is not proper to destroy what our heroes past built for us.

“We will continue to support the management of NPA despite the crucial time we are in. We will continue to appreciate management under Hadiza Bala Usman for her performances so far,” he stressed.