The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) has announced that its members successfully mobilized four million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of imports and exports between 2019 and 2024.
BOAN President, Olabunmi Olumekun, highlighted this progress during a recent interview in Lagos, noting the association’s significant role in Nigeria’s logistics and maritime sector.
Comprising 82 companies and approximately 2,000 barges and tugboats, BOAN has contributed substantially to job creation, with each barge employing at least 13 crew members.
Despite the industry’s growth, Olumekun pointed out several challenges, particularly with government policies that hinder operational efficiency.
BOAN was established to regulate its members, ensure safety on waterways, and address the issue of unqualified operators or “quacks” who lack proper knowledge of the industry.
Olumekun emphasized that many accidents involving barges were caused by these unqualified operators, who entered the business without understanding the complexities of barge operations.
BOAN also raised concerns about a N50 million bank bond imposed by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for obtaining operating licenses, which the association views as a significant burden.
(Punch)