BOAN To Suspend Barge Operations For Two Days, Distance Self From Accidents On Lagos Pilotage

Apparently worried about the recent mishaps along the Lagos waterways, Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) has proposed to suspend barging activities for two day in order to sensitise and enlighten players on the safety implications of the marine transportation sub sector.

 

The proposal by the association comes barely a week viral video surfaced of some barges laden with containers were involved in a ghastly accident along the Lagos Pilotage District .

 

The barge operators ,however distance self from the said accident , saying it has nothing to do members of BOAN.

 

Speaking at a press conference put together by the Association in Lagos on Monday, President of BOAN, Mr. Edeme Kelikume reiterated that the barging activities will be suspended to carry out inspection of all the crafts belonging to members ,saying those which fail the test will be fizzled  out of the system.

 

The BOAN boss also lamented that the high spate of barge accidents was attributable to substandard jetties, improper loading by operators and lack of balance on the barges.

 

The President noted that the two-day shutdown of barging services will enable the regulator, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) , National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA),Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Navy to address issues of overlapping functions and duplication of functions ,which in turn has affected operational activities of barging.

 

 

 

He  pointed out that some of the challenges faced by bargers include duplication of functions by the regulators thus creating an unfavorable environment for businesses to thrive in the marine circle.

 

 

 

Kelikume, noted that the suspension of activities will take place this week after a crucial meeting with the regulators and stakeholders.

 

 

 

He, however, stressed that the suspension of activities would enable barge operators retrain their captains and officials about safety and best practices in the business.

 

 

 

The President stressed that “BOAN will write to terminals and shipping companies not to engage barges which fail the test during this period,” Edeme said.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Despite the recurring barge accidents in recent times, BOAN posited that none of its members have been involved in the accidents, hence, the group proposed that every barge operator in the pilotage district should be a member of BOAN.

 

 

 

While speaking on the contributions made so far by his association in maritime development and economy implication,  he stated that over 1million TEUs and more than 10,000 trucks have been moved via barges in the last three years, adding that top companies like Danone Sugar, BUA, among others may have shutdown without the intervention of barging amid the chaotic port access roads.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

He also advised that tugboats be attached to barges in the pilotage area so that there could be speedy response when accidents occur.

 

 

 

Also speaking at the meeting, a member of BOAN, Mr. Wilson Ugbo lamented the influx of unlicensed and unregulated barges in the operations.Ugbo noted that accidents occur even in top maritime nations where best practice is prioritized, but he stressed that no properly licensed barge operator would be victim of the numerous cases in Nigeria.

 

 

 

Ugbo accused some multinationals of their involvement in barging activities saying the job is exclusive to Nigerians alone.

 

 

 

He called on NPA and other government regulatory agencies to wade the big stick on those who are not supposed to participate in the marine operations, saying it has a graven security implications to the detriment of the country.

 

 

By Roland Ekama