NIMASA advocates well-regulated barge operation to end Ports gridlocks

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr. Bashir Jamoh says a well-regulated barge operating industry in the maritime sector is critical to ending gridlocks on ports access roads in Nigeria.

Dr Jamoh stated this when he played host to the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) led by the President, Bunmi Olumekun at the head office of the Agency in Lagos.

“Barge operations have helped to reduce gridlocks in Apapa, as they are involved with the transportation of container goods from one point to another within the inland waters, thereby putting less pressure on our roads, while also contributing their quota to national economic development”, he said.

Dr. Jamoh urged the operators to invest in modern state of the art barges that can enable them compete favourably with their foreign counterparts, to remain in business and protect them from foreigners taking over their jobs.

He promised them that the Agency would do all it can to promote barge operations as an alternative means of transportation.

Dr Jamoh also enjoined them to brace up in the aspect of training of their members, to meet up with modern day realities and encourage professionalism in the discharge of their duties.

”The business of shipping is evolving with increase in technological advancement, hence training cannot be toiled with, in order to remain valuable in the shipping market,” he explained.

The NIMASA boss disclosed that the Agency has begun the wreck removal exercise across the country, in line with the directive and approval of the Federal Executive Council (FEC), to ensure the channels are free for navigation, while also avoiding accidents on the waterways.

He said;“This is the first time the Agency has undertaken a holistic approach to wreck removal, cutting across all the zones from Lagos, Port Harcourt among other areas all geared towards safety of navigation”.

The President of the Association, Bunmi Olumekun acknowledged the efforts of the Agency in carrying out its mandate for the growth of the Nigerian maritime sector.

He pledged the continuous support of the association and cooperation with the Agency towards the realisation of the three-point agenda of the current administration.

Olumekun noted the involvement of foreigners’ in barge operations in Nigeria and called on the Agency to facilitate access to loans at single digit interest rate.

This according to him, will help operators acquire state of the earth barges.

Mercy Chukwudiebere