Barge Operators Association of Nigeria creates 26,000 jobs, handles 4 million containers since 2019

The President of the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN), Mr. Olubunmi Olumekun, has revealed that between 2019 and the present, the association has employed over 26,000 people and handled more than four million twenty-foot equivalent units (TEUs) of cargo across Nigeria’s waterways. This achievement, according to Olumekun, underscores the growing importance of barge operations in Nigeria’s maritime logistics sector.

In a discussion with journalists in Lagos on Monday, Olumekun highlighted that the four million TEUs handled included imports, exports, and other cargo movements, positioning barge operations as a vital contributor to the nation’s economic activities. He also noted that BOAN, which comprises 82 member companies, operates over 2,000 barges and tugboats, with each barge employing a minimum of 13 crew members.

Olumekun further stressed that the employment generated by the sector has been a significant contribution to job creation, with over 26,000 individuals gaining employment in the last five years. However, he called for urgent policy reforms to address the challenges hindering the growth of the industry.

Read also

• World Bank set to approve $1.13bn in loans for Nigeria’s economic sectors
• Nigeria partners with UK biotech firm to boost farming
• Ogun State recognizes top graduates, invests in future workforce
  
• Ogun East road projects to boost small businesses, local trade
• Nigeria Strengthens global partnerships to boost women’s financial inclusion

One of the key issues highlighted was the restrictive N50 million annual cash bond required by the Nigerian Ports Authority for licensing barge operators. Olumekun argued that insurance bonds, which are more efficient and globally recognized, should replace the cash bond to reduce costs and attract more operators to the sector.

The BOAN president also emphasized the importance of regulation in ensuring safety and professionalism within the industry. He noted that each barge is assigned a unique identity number for traceability, aiming to tackle the issue of unregulated and substandard operators, which often lead to accidents.

Despite these challenges, Olumekun maintained that barge transportation remains a more cost-effective and reliable option compared to road transport, citing its ability to handle large volumes of cargo efficiently. He argued that with the right policy adjustments, barge operations could reduce transport costs by at least 50%, further boosting the nation’s economic growth.

Olumekun also emphasized the benefits of waterways transportation, including timely and safe delivery of goods, and the flexibility of barges in handling unforeseen circumstances, such as equipment failure, without disrupting operations. He called for a reevaluation of current government policies, urging a shift toward supporting waterway transport as a key component of Nigeria’s logistics infrastructure.