Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria ( MWUN) and Barge Operators Association of Nigeria (BOAN) have inaugurated a high powered steering committee to harmonised the activities and operations of Barge operators in Nigerian waters.
The steering committee which was inaugurated on Tuesday in Lagos has Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed as its Chairman.
According to Mohammed, the committee is to harmonised BOAN activities, discuss the operational guidelines of using waterways infrastructure and manpower for effective and efficient barge operations.
Mohammed further said that there are major elements in their operations which include insurance and a selected team that will manage the five channels and that the committee is set to kick-start seamless barge operations in collaboration with the Maritime Workers Union.
Earlier in his goodwill message, the President General of the MWUN, Prince Adewale Adeyanju, described the collaboration between MWUN and BOAN as a “marriage of convenience” that has come to stay which bothered on understanding among both parties.
” This partnership as responsible organizations will make the government see us as serious. Today is my happiest day, we are not only going to operate in Lagos alone but in other parts of the country. MWUN will continue to support BOAN to succeed’, Adyanju assured.
On his part, the President of BOAN, Edeme Kelikume said the economic role barge operations will play in the economy and the maritime industry at large is unquantifiable and that after his first meeting with the President-General of MWUN, Comrade Adewale Adeyanju, 70 days after a child which is the collaboration today has been given birth to.
He urged the committee to be disciplined and take their task seriously and make it work. ” No discipline, no progress, I urged the committee to take this task seriously, we are playing a huge economic role, let’s take it seriously and make it work,” Kelikume said.
The highlight of the event was the inauguration of the MWUN/BOAN steering committee chaired by Alhaji Ahmed Mohammed. Other members of the committee from the BOAN side includes Ibrahim Mohammed, Alhaji Mohammed Jika, Mrs Toyin Oyeleke, Alhaji Kehinde Muko and Ebitimi Dawodu.
While on the MWUN side are Tunde Balogun ( APMT), Sarafa Oguntoyinbo (TICT), Akeem Bolaji (ENL), Moses Osagie (Jetties and Standard Flour Mills), Akeem Ekundayo, Yomi Ogedegbe and Bature Yusuf.
Meanwhile, the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria ( BOAN) is set to hold its first annual convention on Barge operations in Nigeria. The event is scheduled to hold in August 2021 at the Marriott Hotel, Joel Ogunike street, Ikeja GRA, Lagos State.
Dignitaries expected at the ceremony include Hon. Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Nigeria’s Minister of Transportation, is the special guest of honour, while the Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo- Olu is the chief host.
Other dignitaries includes Chief Adebayo Sarumi who is the Chairman of the occasion, Edeme Kelikume, president of the association, Hon. Bunmi Olumekun Vice President and Hajia Bola Muse who is the Chairperson of the event committee.