The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) has issued a strong outcry, demanding that government agencies immediately cease the practice of denoting fees and charges in dollars instead of the Nigerian Naira.
The barge operators lamented that regretfully, this practice represents just one of the many challenges and formidable operational obstacles that hinder the process of barging operations in Nigeria.
Olubunmi Olumekun, the President of BOAN, stated this during a recent breakfast meeting in Lagos, organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) to address the deteriorating quay apron at Tincan Island Port and other infrastructure-related issues across various ports, as well as explore potential solutions.
Accompanied by Nura Musa Wagani, BOAN’s Director of Operations, Olumekun expressed bewilderment as to why fees and charges are imposed on BOAN members in dollars rather than their local currency, despite their compliance with the Local Content Act, a legitimate government statute.
He said: “Our operations strictly adhere to the provisions of the Local Content Act. However, we are perplexed as to why our regulatory body insists on charging us in dollars,” Olumekun queried.
Echoing similar sentiments, Nura Musa Wagani urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to thoroughly re-evaluate its tariff system with the intention of accommodating the fundamental business interests of BOAN members.
Offering insights on barging operations, Barr Temi Omatseye, a former Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), lamented the lack of foresight demonstrated by bargers in anticipating the current challenges and bottlenecks prevalent in their line of work.
These challenges include numerous low bridges and inadequate road infrastructure intersecting the waterways through which barges navigate. Omatseye observed that this unforeseen situation imposed restrictions on the height and number of containers that could be safely stacked on a barge to prevent collisions with bridges, consequently causing financial deficits for barges.
In response to the barge operators’ concerns, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Emmanuel Jime, emphasized that Nigerian law does not mandate any agency to collect charges and fees in dollars. Jime assured the barge operators’ association that an investigation would be conducted to ascertain the truthfulness of the allegations.
Additionally, Mohammed Bello Koko, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), highlighted that the introduction of barge transportation for cargo in Nigeria aimed to alleviate port congestion. Represented by Ayo Durowaiye, the General Manager of the MD’s Office, Bello-Koko clarified that barge operators are only subject to a floating fee, deposited in their respective banks, and are not required to pay any additional charges except for insurance fees.
Durowaiye recommended that members of the association consult with their banks for further discussions regarding the financial matters at hand.
