Barge Operators, Maritime Workers Partner To Improve Waterway Transport

Barge operators have joined forces with maritime workers to improve waterway transportation in Lagos by ensuring compliance with safety operations.

The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) disclosed the inauguration of a new barge operations committee on Wednesday ahead of its annual conference scheduled for next week in Lagos.

The Chairman of the steering committee, Ahmed Mohammed, a joint press conference between the BOAN and the Maritime Worker’s Union of Nigeria, said the committee was put together for the benefit of harmonising the activities of barge operators in the maritime industry.

The newly inaugurated committee comprises members of both the BOAN and MWUN.

Mohammed said, “In forming this committee, we discussed extensively the procedures and guidelines to be carried out within the waterways as it relates to barge operation. We highlighted elements we will focus on which includes infrastructure, equipment and manpower.

“We want to ensure that we comply with safety operations as it relates to our operations in the waterway transportation system in Lagos.”

The President-General of MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, told MMS Plus that he was pleased with the formation of the joint committee, which he described as a marriage of convenience that has come to stay.

Adeyanju said it was a necessary for the union to expand their scope to attain a sustainable union, while calling on government support to further the progress of the unions.

The MWUN President-General also noted that the union has begun exploring possibilities of owning and operating barges as part of efforts to deepen its revenue base.

BOAN President, Edeme Kelikume, spoke on the synergies with regulatory agencies and stakeholders while reiterating the relevance of the forthcoming conference.

According to him, the unions play a huge economic role that drove the prosperity of the country while enjoining members to embrace integrity and professionalism in carrying out their duties.

The chairperson of the organising committee for BOAN 1st Annual Conference, Hajia Bola Muse, said the forthcoming conference would host the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi; the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; the acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Idris Abubakar; and key players in the maritime industry.