Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, has appealed to members of the Barge Operators Association of Nigeria to work towards increasing their capacity and reducing congestion at the ports.
He made the call at the maiden annual conference of the association on Tuesday.
Amaechi, represented by the Permanent Secretary, Dr Magdalene Ajani, spoke of the ministry’s commitment to revamping the nation’s transport network including the roads, railways and waterways.
Amaechi said, “The present administration is committed to exploring and harnessing the maritime sector to support the national economy in the face of dwindling oil revenue which has been our major revenue source.
“To achieve this, the government has embarked on improving transportation infrastructure to promote integrated, intermodal transportation systems as demonstrated by the ongoing massive railway development projects connecting cities within the country and its regional landlocked country, Niger Republic.
“Also, development of inland waterways is a priority initiative to improve inland trade, transport connectivity, maritime activities with neighbouring countries, create wealth and employment and facilitate trade and generate more revenue.”
Amaechi said the ministry was ready to support the maritime industry but noted that the sector had to be productive and effective which was only possible if barge operators came together to increase their capacity and move goods from the various ports through the inland waters to their final destinations in order to reduce congestion on the roads.
