Maritime Union Urges RSG To Reduce Registration Fees

The Okrika Speedboat
Transport Association, has commended the decision of the Rivers State Government to register all speedboats operating in the State, but appealed for reduction of the registration fee of N10,000 per boat.
Chairman of the association, Chief Sunday Opeya, made the assertion in a chat with The Tide Correspondent in his office at Okrika, Monday.
Opeya noted that the association was not against the registration of speedboats in the state, but that they cannot meet up with the expenses at the end of the day, and suggested that instead of N10,000 and N7,000 for big and small boats respectively, let it be at least N5,000 and N2,500, so that it would be easy for operators to comply.
He disclosed that about 80 big speedboats are plying the Okrika route on shift as they have days of operation, and pleaded that it would be difficult for them to pay such exorbitant fee as schools were about to resume coupled with the biting economy, the large families and more especially the fact that most of the operators are retirees who are engaged in the business.
He further noted that the high cost of engine spare parts is also posing a great challenge to the operators, and hinted that fairly used (Belgium) crankshaft that used to cost about N70,000 and N80,000 is now N250,000 and scarce even in Lagos market, while new one costs N350,000.
The Chairman also disclosed that Belgium Piston Cup that before now cost about N4,000 and N5,000 is now N15,000 and new one N20,000, while Belgium Connecting Rod that was N8,000 to N10,000 is now N20,000 and scarce, while a pair of Belgium Big End Bearing which used to cost about N4,000 and N5,000 now cost N10,000 in the engine spare parts market in the country.
Opeya opined that due to the high cost of the spare parts, most owners of faulty engines could not afford to repair them, but have to abandon them, hoping on God to come to their rescue, adding that if the condition persists, most speedboat operators in the area would fold-up and petty traders doing business would also be affected.
He posited that although the move would help check the incessant sea pirates activities in the waterways, crime and criminality as well as data base to regulate all speedboat operators in the state, but should reconsider the registration fee of N10,000 per boat.

Collins Barasimeye