SSASCFA Makes Case For Barge Operation, ICDs Optimal Utilisation
By Roland Ekama
Apparently determined to promote maritime business, the Senior Staff Association of Shipping, Clearing and Forwarding Agencies (SSASCFA) has advocated for the federal government to prioritize activities of barge operations in Nigeria, as part efforts to create more employment and decongest the port corridors.
Comrade Harrison Ugochukwu Asonye,
President General,SSASCFA in a chat with DAILY FOCUS NIGERIA over the weekend , noted that despite the drop in cargo importation into the country, congestion at the port terminals have reduced due to the role of barging activities.
Asonye canvassed for more investors to embrace water transportation business especially as it concerns barging adding that “This means of transportation should be encouraged to meet up with the call of ease of doing business in Nigeria.
He further pointed out that ” Congestion to an extent has reduced even though volumes dropped since the first quarter of this year thus more barge operators should be injected into the business to further create room for competition which will eventually drop the exorbitant rates of some obnoxious operators and help in decongesting the port.
Asonye also appealed to the federal government, on the need to improve on the road network linking the seaports adding that ” Today in this sector, we do not have good access road networks despite the contribution of this sector to the growth of our GDP.
“Though, the road network as at today has improved a little compared with 2020 downwards.
“More can be done to have a good road network. This will to an extent enhance seamless and free flow of business within the sector. We are calling on government to come to our aid in this regard.
According to him, government should further encourage the smooth operations of Inland Container Depots (ICDs) noting that the dry ports play key roles in the decongestion of the mother ports.
“We call on government to encourage the Inland Container Depots, dry ports and holding bays as these group are contributing to the port decongestion.
While contributing to the movement of cargoes via railway, the President General, SSASCFA stressed that the process will also enhance quick turnaround time for ships calling at the nation’s seaports.
He stated that:“Introduction of rail system from the ocean port to dry ports, other terminals, warehouses will go a long way in decongesting the port.
“I could remember those days when I was doing my industrial training in the port, Peugeot Association Nigeria (PAN) moves its container from Apapa quay to Kaduna or Kano via rail right from the port. “
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