Barge operators in Lagos State have expressed worries over the lull in business following the drop of cargo Importation into the country and reduction cost rates by truck owners.
The bargers lamented that the business of moving cargoes from the seaports to jetties and other facilities via the waterways have dropped significantly to an all time low even as frustrations have started setting in for the investors.
Investigations carried out by DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA during the week, also confirmed that the cost of moving cargoes through barges within the Lagos waterways similarly, dropped by 65% as against 100% due to the low import.
While barge operators are alarmed about the development, truck owners attributed cost reduction in the movement of cargoes to the law demand and supply .
Apart from the sharp drop in the business of barging activities, shippers in the supply logistics chain have resumed trucking patronage due to affordable charges against what was obtained on the waterways carriage of cargoes .
While truck owners collect #150, 000 for laden cargoes from Tin Can Island Port to Mile 2 or Amuwo Odofin axis, bargers collect #250, 000 same destination; As situation that has affected the activities of waterways transportation.
Barge operators lamented that first quarter of 2022 was unfavorable for them due to low charges from truck owners; and to further cut cost of doing business in a bid to maximize profit.
A member of Barge Operators of Nigeria (BOAN) , Mr. Jika Chibado who spoke exclusively with our correspondent over the weekend, lamented that operators in the barging sub sector of the maritime industry, have never had it so they tough this year, adding that the sudden crash in cost left some of the operators confused.
Chubado said gradually, some operators are quitting the business due to the lull in patronage by shippers and freight forwarders, adding that most shippers patronise road transportation even at short distance.
“Barge operations have gone down and we cannot make profit as we used to again. ”
On his part, Kelvin Okechukwu , who doubles as a truck owner and barge operator , explained that the law of demand and supply has played a dominant role on the sharp drop of barge patronage adding that waterways transportation of consignments is facing “an all time low.”
Okechukwu who is the Managing Director ,Nedu Logistics reiterated that “Truck is cheaper at the moment and that is why we are not getting much business at the moment.”
He said the high rate charges on consignments for waterways transportation attributed negatively to lull.
Alhaji Inuwa Abdullahi, a truck owners and member, Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) attributed the lull in barge operators to low Importation since 2021.
According to him, there is a total drop of Importation globally and Nigeria is not an exception.
By Roland Ekama
