Apparently scared by what they refer to as gradual reduction of job opportunities leading to near-extinction, barge operators are currently turning their attention toward Lekki Deep seaport, which recently commenced full commercial operations.
The barge operators lamented the lull in business activities in the first quarter of the year 2023, saying with the outlook, the business may go into extinction anytime soon
The General Manager of one of the barge operators; Joatelim Logistics Limited; Mr Haruna Omolajomo stated this in a chat with our correspondent recently.
According to him, inconsistent government policies, stifling policies of some terminal operators as well as improvement on the roads, are some of the factors that have affected the fortunes of the business.
Omolajomo, who doubles as Chairman, Membership Committee of Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN), maintained that most of the operators who rented barges have since returned them even as some of the barges are idle at jetties for lack of activities.
He said: “For now, I can tell you authoritatively that they are operating less than 20 per cent of the total operation, because of so many factors.
“This is because of the election, low volume of cargo coming into the country basically because of the cashless policy, it really affected the business
“In addition to that, the modus operandi of some terminal operators and shipping companies also affected barge operation. I also want to say that the improvement on the roads is another factor that affected the business. So, everything is down below expectations.
“Barge operators are crying inwardly and some of those who rented barges and tugboats have returned them. You will find most of the barges at the jetties instead of working. So, it is not a good time for barge operators”.
Asked what the association is doing to help the situation, he said that the body lacks unity. He added that BOAN is just an association by nomenclature and that the members do not come together to have a common front against any problem confronting them.
“The association too has its own problems. They believe that they can solve their problems individually. They are punching themselves and the terminal operators too, have a way of trying to hammer them by the way they do things.
“The association is just there by name, when it is time for them to come together to fight a common goal, you will see everybody going their different ways’, he lamented.
On her part, another barge operator and member of BOAN; Hajia Bola Muse said those with ocean-going vessels are ready for operations, stating that they have over the years waited for commercial operations to begin at the new port.
“Yes, we are ready, we are part of everything, this is what we have been expecting, and those with the type of barges expected for operations at the port will commence operations at the port, this is a welcome development and we are happy about it”, she said.
Follow us on Facebook/ twitter
