The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to investigate allegations of unfair treatment against local barge operators at the nation’s seaports.
The directive was conveyed in a statement issued on Monday by the minister’s Special Adviser, Bolaji Akinola.
According to the statement, representatives of indigenous barge operators raised concerns over what they described as coordinated efforts by certain foreign interests to push them out of business.
The operators alleged that a combination of policies, operational bottlenecks, and preferential treatment by some terminal operators is creating an uneven playing field in the maritime logistics sector.
They warned that if the situation persists, it could weaken local capacity and disrupt fair competition, ultimately threatening the survival of indigenous businesses.
In response, Oyetola reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to safeguarding local investments and ensuring a level playing field for all stakeholders in the industry.
He directed the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, in its capacity as the port economic regulator, to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the claims.
The minister emphasised that any form of anti-competitive practices or policy inconsistencies that disadvantage Nigerian operators would not be tolerated.
He also highlighted the importance of stakeholder engagement in addressing challenges within the sector, noting that such interactions help in shaping effective and responsive policies.
Oyetola added that the government remains committed to strengthening the marine and blue economy as a key driver of economic growth, job creation, and sustainable development.
