The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) have disagreed over the suspension of barge operations at Lagos ports.
The President, Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) Mr. Edeme Kelikume in a chat with our correspondent over the weekend, disclosed that NPA suspended the RoRo operations at Lagos ports due to the impending introduction of the electronic call up system by the agency, he said already the association had a meeting with the authority over the suspension, he said the association will be getting a feedback this week on the way forward.
“First of all, it is not a ban, but suspension; the Roro barging operation is what was suspended and I think the reason for this is just lack of planning
“We have had a meeting with NPA and the reason for the suspension is because NPA is introducing an e- call up system, by next week we hope to get a feedback from NPA on the way forward”, he said.
However, in a chat with our correspondent, the Assistant General Manager Corporate and Strategic Communications NPA, Mr. Nasir Ibrahim said the agency did not suspend barge operation at the Lagos port due to the e- call up system.
He explained that the e- call up system will be coming on stream next year and not this year, but said the NPA only mandated them to use the facility the Flour Mill side to drop their containers.
“That is not true, people are only misunderstanding this, NPA did not suspend barge operation, nobody said they have banned the operation, the – call up system will come on stream next year, that they should now drop their containers around the Flour Mill from where they can now access the port.
However, in a letter sighted by our correspondent NPA has threatened to seal-off some terminals operating at the Lagos Port Complex over operation of Roll On Roll off barges.
In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of one of the terminals, and sighted by our correspondent, the Port Manager, Lagos Port, Olufunmilayo Olotu said the directive was from the management of the NPA.
The letter is titled: “Re: Suspension of RORO barge operations from all terminals in the Lagos Pilotage district”.
She however warned that any terminal that persists in allowing RoRo barge operation at the Lagos ports would be sealed-off.
The letter reads: “We are directed to convey the suspension of RORO Barge operations from all terminals in the Lagos pilotage district by Nigerian Ports Authority’s Executive Management.
This suspension takes effect from 1st December, 2020. No terminal operator is allowed to receive RORO Barges in Lagos Port Complex”
“Please note that any violation of this directive will attract stiffer sanctions, including but not limited to sealing of such erring Terminals”.
However, a group, Social Integrity Network (SINET), has challenged the suspension order, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to urgently call for the immediate withdrawal of the NPA letter.
The group, in a statement issued last Monday and signed by its national coordinator, Mallam Ibrahim Issa, described the action as a deliberate attempt to sabotage the current administration’s efforts in boosting the nation’s economy as well as enhancing ease of doing business.
“It is important to note that the action is grossly questionable owing to the importance of the operations to the nation’s economy.
“We appeal to the leadership of the National Assembly under the leadership of Dr. Ahmad Lawan to probe the circumstances which led to the production of the letter for the author and her co-sponsors understanding the fact that the action does not reflect national interests neither does it put into consideration the sensitive state of the nation’s economy”, the group noted.
The SINET boss further stressed that, “the only source of reduction of overburden and huge demurrage of returns on containers by importers, manufacturers and traders is continuation of the Roro barge operations”.
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