Barge operators in the nation’s maritime industry say they ready to begin pilot operations of cargo movement from the Lekki Deep Seaport, ahead of the planned commercial take-off of operations at the port in September 2022.
President, Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN), Mr Bunmi Olumekun, disclosed this to newsmen in Lagos.
He noted that the group will begin pilot operations to determine the kind of vessels that will operate at the port when it begins commercial operations.
Olumekun said members of the Association have visited the deep seaport and are ready to carry out pilot operations to avoid casualty or losses when commercial operations finally begin at the port.
“We have done our visiting and we have seen it by ourselves. So, the next step we are taking is to see how we’re going to do a pilot test.
“We want to do the pilot test before then, so that we can know exactly what we’re talking about.
“We are working in collaboration with the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) to see how the project is going to be a success”, he said.
On the condition of barges for the operation,Olumekun said two types of barges would be required, the sea going barges, and creek going barges
“We have two type of barges. We have sea-going barges and creek barges. So, when we are talking about Lekki operations, it is going to be sea going barges and those barges are what we will examine.
“We are going to be fully involved so that we will monitor all those barges that will come there in order to avoid any casualty or any loss of goods. We are going to make sure that at stage one, we are going to inspect and regulate it ourselves and see exactly the type of barges coming to load.
“We are going to synergise with Customs and NPA, to see how that operation will be a success, but I can tell you, we are fully ready”, he added.