SEREC Urges Immediate Reform Of Nigeria’s Barge Operations, Proposes Dedicated Directorate Under Marine Ministry

SEREC Urges Immediate Reform Of Nigeria’s Barge Operations, Proposes Dedicated Directorate Under Marine Ministry
— pollution at Mile 2 Jetty underscores urgent need for coordinated oversight, says group

Fwdr Dr.Eugen Nweke Head,Research SEREC

By Frank Odinukaeze

The Sea Empowerment and Research Center (SEREC) has called for urgent institutional reform in Nigeria’s barge operations following a recent pollution incident at the Mile 2 Jetty in Lagos, which it described as a “critical wake-up call” for the nation’s maritime regulatory system.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, SEREC expressed deep concern over reports of a sunken barge and chemical leakage into the waterways around Clarion Shipping Terminal, Lagos, where continuous rainfall has worsened the environmental impact. The organization warned that the spill posed significant risks to marine life and public health, citing a lack of immediate regulatory response.
According to verified reports from Harboursandport.com and other maritime monitors, industrial chemicals have continued to seep into the waterways unchecked — an indication, SEREC said, of weak coordination among agencies overseeing barge and inland waterway operations.
Call for a Dedicated Barge Directorate
To address the persistent lapses, SEREC is urging the Federal Government, through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, to establish a Directorate of Barge Operations and Logistics Services (DBOLS).
The proposed Directorate, to be headed by a Director and supported by a Deputy Director, would be responsible for the mandatory registration, inspection, and certification of barges and tugs. It would also set national safety and environmental standards, deploy vessel tracking systems for inland waterways, oversee terminal licensing and pollution control, and drive training and job creation within the marine logistics industry.
Economic, Employment, and Environmental Benefits
SEREC estimates that the creation of the DBOLS would require an initial setup cost of ₦8–10 billion but could generate up to ₦60–80 billion annually from barge licensing, inspection, and certification fees.
The group also projected that properly regulated barge operations could create between 45,000 and 60,000 direct and indirect jobs within three to five years. These include technical, dockside, logistics, and ancillary service roles such as fueling, repair, catering, and waste management.
Furthermore, the organization emphasized that structured barge logistics could attract between ₦250–300 billion in private sector investment over the next decade while easing road congestion and cutting CO₂ emissions by as much as 30% annually.
Learning from Global Models
Drawing from international best practices, SEREC highlighted successful inland waterway management systems in India, the United States, the Netherlands, and China. These nations, it noted, have transformed their waterways into key logistics corridors through strict regulation, digital monitoring, and sustainable investments.
“The lessons from global examples are clear — a unified and well-structured barge management framework can boost economic efficiency and environmental sustainability,” the statement read.
A Call to Action
SEREC urged the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy to immediately:
Approve the establishment of the DBOLS;
Appoint a Deputy Director of Barge Operations to oversee safety and coordination efforts;
Create an inter-agency task force to address the ongoing Mile 2 pollution; and
Fast-track the National Barge Modernisation and Regulation Framework (NBMRF) under the Blue Economy agenda.
SEREC’s Position
“Barge operations are the arteries of our inland maritime economy. With proper regulation, they can decongest highways, reduce transport costs by up to 40%, create tens of thousands of jobs, and protect our marine ecosystems,” said Fwdr. Eugene Nweke, Head of Research at SEREC.