By Steve Agbota
Barge operators have expressed fears of possible extinction over a continued lack of patronage as attention turns towards the recently commissioned Lekki Deep seaport.,
The barge operators decried the lull in business activities in the first quarter of the year 2023, saying that the outlook shows that many business may go into extinction anytime soon.
The General Manager of one of the barge handling firms; Joatelim Logistics Limited; Mr Haruna Omolajomo, blamed the development on inconsistent government policies that have continued to stifle terminal operators as well as improvement road infrastructure among others.
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 lying idle at jetties for lack of activities.
“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,that has 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 infrastructure is another factor that affected the business. So, everything is dam 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,” he said.
On what the association is doing to help the situation, he said that the body lacks unity, adding 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,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.