NSC Explores Solution For Barge Operations

As part of efforts to ensure seamless port operations, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, is exploring solutions to Barge operations in Nigeria. 

This was a major concern during a meeting held last week with the executives of the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) at the Council’s head office in Lagos.

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council,  Mr. Hassan Bello said that Barge operations have come to stay in the maritime industry because it is helpful to the growth of the economy. 

He posits that BOAN must contribute to the sanity of the ports environment and calls for large stakeholders engagement where other key players in the industry come together to discuss issues affecting the industry. 

The NSC boss noted that some barges are not technically good to meet basic standards of operations and raise concern over the difference in the price of barges by operators.

In his words, "On the issue of pricing, we have to look at many factors in setting tariffs for Barge operations. NSC is looking to set the standard on the price, we are not fixing price but we just want certain standards to be looked into". 

"Also, if we continue to allow unprofessional conduct to happen there will be accidents or incidents that will have negative effects on the economy" he noted.

Meanwhile, BOAN President, Mr. Edema Keliekume explained the challenges of the indigenous operators noting that foreigners are taking over their business and have more expertise, more money, and better skills of the business than their Nigerian counterparts who are relatively new in the business.

Also, Keliekume noted how members had no access to loans whereas the foreigners have access to zero-interest loans and are able to afford more sophisticated facilities.

He argued that multiple taxations from different agencies claiming regulatory functions over the business is another factor working against the success of the business, “We want singular regulatory agency and a singular annual charge for smooth operations,”. 

Keliekume lauds NSC for accepting to meet with its members and urged the regulator to strike balance between safety and economic gains.

"for our service to be more affordable to people there is a need for the cost component not to be high so that it doesn't make our pricing be high"

He also argued that lots of people that came into barge operations for just profit gains left the industry because of the high cost of operations.     

Furthermore, the NSC boss assured the group of protection from foreign domination, using the Cabotage Act if applicable.

He added that the business must not be made an all-comers affair, adding that there should be regulation of entry and exit into the business.

Bello said, “It all based on bringing down the cost of doing business and the ease of business, protecting indigenous capacity. As far as barge operation is concerned, it is important we look at the Cabotage Act and see how the barge operations will fit in into those areas which are important for Nigerians.

“It is very important to safeguard barge operations as a means of conveying cargo and bring them out of the port. It is one of the multimodal approaches we have always talked about. It will go a long way in making our ports attractive" he added. 

However, the NSC boss applauds the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA on the E-call up system and called on industry observers and port users to give the system chance to work.

"I am happy that the new electronic call-up system by the NPA is actually working, of course, anything new will have its own challenge. I, therefore, call on our observers and users to give it chance to work " he noted.