Aug. 18, 2021
By: Theresa Igata
The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) on Tuesday at a joint press conference with the Maritime Worker’s Union of Nigeria (MWUN) to officially flag off of an harmonious relationship between both organisations, announced its inaugural annual conference and the inauguration of the barge operations management committee comprising of members of both organisations.
Speaking at the press conference in Lagos, the President, BOAN, Edeme Kelikume noted that the partnership with MWUN was necessary to ensure discipline and better management of barge operations on the waterways.
Kelikume reiterated the need for cooperation between operators and regulatory authorities, stating that BOAN was working with the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Navy, Nigeria Police and Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA).
“We have structured our operations to have channels and each of this channel have teams and the teams have enforcement teams. With this collaboration between MWUN, BOAN and the regulatory agencies there will be a better coordination of the movement of our crafts and other third parties that will be plying the waterways”.
“We see an improvement and hence the BOAN Conference for 24th August, 2021 at Marriott Hotel, Ikeja where we will be imploring the Government to play their part. The issue of wreck removal needs to be taken seriously, we expect NIWA, NIMASA and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to get more involved in clearing the water of the wrecks we have in them. We need to have the right navigational aids. Security is very key; with the Navy and Marine Police we can have a secured waterway”, he added.
However, the Chairman of the steering committee, Ahmed Mohammed stated that BOAN has highlighted 5 channels within the waterways transportation network in Lagos and it was important to select individuals that will manage the channels.
“The aim of the synergy with MWUN is to harmonize the relationship as it relates to waterways transportation with an overall objective to decongest the seaports. We are focusing on three elements and these three elements encapsulate the operational activities of Barge operations; Manpower: the captains and the crew members, the infrastructure and water way channels and the equipment’s required. We have been working tirelessly to put in place all that it takes to achieve maximum operational activities within our waters; we are training our men while we secured the partnership of insurance companies to mitigate risks while we ensure safety and boost confidence”, Mohammed said.
The President-General, MWUN, Prince Adewale, Adeyanju assured that the synergy between both organizations has come to stay and it was important for both organizations to synergize so as to become formidable in reaching its goals and interfacing with the Government and regulatory bodies.
The partnership he said, will transcend beyond Lagos as he had engaged with stakeholders in other quarters of the Federation. “MWUN will continue to support BOAN to the best of its capacity to ensure that the goals and objectives are achieved”.
According to the Public Relations Officer, Mr. Ernest Udeze, BOAN was working on a mobile software to ease engagement and communication on the waterways; with this software, barges can be tracked as they leave the jetties real time, we will have an opportunity to build a strong data base for the industry thus improving insight and enhancing swift decision making and projections.
“BOAN’s 1st Annual Conference, will host the Honorable Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi; the Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Idris Abubakar; NIMASA Executive, and other key players in the Maritime Industry”, Hajia Bola Muse, Chairperson, conference Committee said.
