BOAN Tasks NIMASA On Loan

Barge operators in Lagos have appealed to management of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to facilitate access to loans at single digit interest rate to help operators acquire state of the art barges.
President, Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN), Olubunmi Olumekun, made the plea recently during a courtesy visit to NIMASA.
Olumekun acknowledged the efforts of the apex maritime regulatory agency in carrying out its mandate for the growth and development of the Nigerian maritime sector, and pledged the continuous support of the association and cooperation with NIMASA towards the realization of the three-point agenda of the current administration.
Hon. Olumekun, who noted the involvement of foreigners in barge operations in Nigeria, lamented that the Cabotage Act must be enforced in order to encourage local content participation in  the nation’s maritime industry .
A statement signed by Osagie Edward, Assistant Director, Public Relations, NIMASA, and made available to our correspondent in Lagos, quoted the Director General, Dr. Bashir Jamoh,as noting that a well-regulated barge operating industry in the maritime sector is critical to ending gridlocks on ports access roads in Nigeria.
“Barge operations have helped to reduce gridlocks in Apapa, as they are involved with the transportation of container goods from one point to another within the inland waters, thereby putting less pressure on our roads, while also contributing their quota to national economic development”, Jamoh said.
Speaking further, the NIMASA DG urged the operators to invest in modern state of the art barges that can enable them compete favourably with their foreign counterparts, as this will help them remain in business and protect them from foreigners taking over their jobs.
While assuring them that the Agency will do all it can to promote barge operations as an alternative means of transportation, he enjoined them to brace up in the aspect of training of their members, as this will help them meet up with modern day realities and encourage professionalism in the discharge of their duties.
“Capacity development is good for the industry players in order to remain relevant, while being able to compete favourably with operators in other climes.
“The business of shipping is evolving with increase in technological advancement, hence training cannot be toiled with, in order to remain valuable in the shipping market,” Jamoh stated.

By: Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos