The Barge Operators Association of Nigeria has decried what it described as a systematic and deliberate plot to push its members out of business at the Apapa Port by some terminal operators.

In a statement on Friday, the National President of BOAN, Olubunmi Olumekun, alleged that the terminal operators have effectively cornered barge operations at the Apapa Port by denying indigenous operators access to berthing windows.

“Some terminal operators are taking over the barge operations and not allowing local content to thrive. They are trying to determine the price by bringing their barges and taking over every aspect of business at the port. This would affect the common man on the streets and the price of goods at the market,” Olumekun said.

Olumekun mentioned that maritime law mandates that every terminal must leave 50 metres available for emergency evacuation or barge operations, a provision he said is being flagrantly violated.

“According to international laws on port operations, 50 metres is designed for emergency evacuation. Every terminal must leave 50 metres for emergency operations or barge operations, and even in the concession agreement the terminal operators signed with the Federal Government, the clause is stated there,” Olumekun stated.

Olumekun accused the terminal operators of directly sabotaging President Bola Tinubu’s local content and blue economy agenda.

Also speaking, the Director of Enforcement and Operations at BOAN, Nura Wagani, drew a sharp contrast between the situation at Apapa and Tincan Island Port, noting that the crisis is largely localised at Apapa Port.

“We as barge operators have been thrown out of business; nobody is patronising us because of these exorbitant rates. This is only happening in Apapa Port. If you go to the Tincan Island Port, the cost is not the same; Tincan Island is far cheaper than Apapa,” he said.

Meanwhile, an official with one of the terminal operators, who requested not to be mentioned due to the sensitive nature of the matter, stated that terminal operators would not want to join issues with BOAN.

“We don’t want to join issues with the barge operators; when we want to speak on that, we will issue an independent statement,” the official stated.