Business
BOAN Seeks Government Support to Boost Indigenous Barge Operations at Lekki Port
The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) has called for government intervention to enhance indigenous operators’ capacity to meet international safety standards required at Lekki Deep Seaport.
BOAN President, Bunmi Olumekun, revealed that many local barge operators have been unable to secure contracts at Lekki Port due to the type of barges they use, which do not meet the port’s operational and safety requirements.
According to Olumekun, Lekki Port, as an international shipping hub, requires sea-going barges of at least 3,000 tons for operations. However, the high cost of acquiring these crafts, which runs into billions of naira, has limited the participation of indigenous operators.
“We are soliciting funds because a 3,000-ton barge is expensive. For us to compete, we need financial assistance to acquire the right equipment,” Olumekun stated in an exclusive interview with the Nigerian Tribune.
He also emphasized the shift towards self-propelled barges, which are now preferred in modern shipping environments over traditional tugboat-propelled barges. The demand for these advanced crafts has increased, especially with the presence of the Dangote Refinery in Lekki, necessitating self-propelled tanker barges for efficient cargo movement.
BOAN is actively engaging key agencies such as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to secure funding.
“We are reaching out to any agency that can help us appeal to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for financial support,” Olumekun said.
He stressed that without government intervention, indigenous barge operators risk being sidelined in the growing maritime sector, limiting their ability to contribute to Nigeria’s blue economy and regional trade.