Hassan Bello warns barge operators over sub-standard barges

Abiola Seun

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, (NSC) has asked members of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria, (BOAN), to avoid substandard barges in other to curb loss of their investments and consignments of their clients.

Speaking recently, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Hassan Bello, commended BOAN members for their efforts in maritime logistics but challenged them to take the issue of safety and acquisition of technically sound facilities serious for better operation.

Bello said that barge operations have come to stay in the maritime industry because it is helpful to the growth of the economy.

He said BOAN must contribute to the sanity of the ports environment and called for larger stakeholders’ engagement where other key players in the industry come together to discuss issues affecting the industry.

He added: “On the issue of pricing, we have to look at many factors in setting tariffs for barge operations. NSC is looking to set the standard on the price, we are not fixing price but we just want certain standards to be looked into.

“Also, if we continue to allow unprofessional conduct to happen, there will be accidents or incidents that will have negative effects on the economy.”

On his part, President of BOAN, Mr. Edema Keliekume, commended NSC and urged the regulator to strike a balance between safety and economic gains.

“For our services to be more affordable to people, there is a need for the cost component not to be high so that it doesn’t make our pricing be high,” Keliekume said.