The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) has praised the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) for resolving issues that had affected the operations of indigenous barge operators in the nation’s maritime sector.
The association said the minister’s intervention and the subsequent investigation by the NSC helped address concerns raised by local operators over challenges affecting their participation in port and waterway logistics activities.
Speaking during the recently concluded 2026 Second Quarter Citizens’ and Stakeholders’ Engagement in Lagos, the Managing Director of Nurwags Integrated Services Limited, Nura Wagani, said Oyetola demonstrated commitment to protecting indigenous investments by directing an investigation into the complaints.
According to him, the minister’s action reflected the Federal Government’s determination to promote fairness and create a level playing field for local operators within the maritime industry.
Wagani also commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, led by its Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Pius Akutah, for conducting what he described as a thorough and impartial investigation into the issues raised by the association.
He recalled that during the 2026 First Quarter Citizens and Stakeholders’ Engagement, Sectoral Performance Review and Ministerial Management Retreat organised by the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, BOAN had appealed to the minister to intervene in operational bottlenecks and practices that were limiting the participation of indigenous barge operators.
Following the appeal, Oyetola directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to investigate the allegations and recommend solutions aimed at addressing the concerns.
With the investigation now concluded, BOAN said it was satisfied with the outcome and confirmed that the issues it raised had been adequately resolved.
The association expressed optimism that the resolution would encourage greater participation by indigenous operators in barge transportation and improve efficiency across Nigeria’s waterways and port logistics system.
BOAN noted that strengthening local participation remains critical to the growth of the maritime sector and the broader objectives of the Federal Government’s blue economy agenda.
The association further reiterated its commitment to working closely with key industry stakeholders, including the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA).
According to BOAN, sustained collaboration among regulators and operators will be essential to promoting safety, regulatory compliance and long-term growth in Nigeria’s barge operations and inland waterways transport sector.
The association added that the successful resolution of the matter demonstrates the value of stakeholder engagement in addressing industry concerns and fostering a more efficient and competitive maritime environment.
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