Marine / oil and gas activities abound in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The Niger delta is located south –south Nigeria. it consists of all the areas where the tributaries of the river Niger empties into the Atlantic. By virtue of its high deposit of petroleum and natural gas, in addition to its littoral nature, the region holds over 80% of marine / oil and gas activities in the nation.

In Nigeria, due to poor maritime infrastructures and inadequate ports, jetties are increasingly becoming important as quasi ports, offering ancillary services to compliment the ports and other maritime facilities. This work therefore focuses on Jetties in Niger Delta: Challenges and the Way Forward. Before I proceed, it’s important to note that the word Jetty gives itself to several meanings. One, It may mean a bridge or staircase used by passengers for either embankment or dis-embankment from boat, aircraft etc. Secondly, it could also mean a break water constructed to protect or defend a habour, stretch of coast or river bank. Finally, Jetty can also refer to a land stage or small pier at which boats can dock or be moored. For the purpose of this work, the word Jetty is majorly used in the last sense.

Jetties like already pointed out earlier are of great importance to the economy. As a subsector, jetties have a great share of the total revenue that accrue to the entire maritime sector. They are not just pivotal to the growth of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), employment generation and overall economic development, but are now the corner stone of marine transportation. Its importance becomes more obvious especially in the oil and gas industry facilitating the movement of heavy duty equipment and personnel. It is however sad to note that despite the critical role jetties play, they are constantly plagued by many challenges.

One of such is the total absence of infrastructures. As it is with many other sectors in developing countries, jetties to say the least are blank when it comes to infrastructure. Most are in comatose state, lacking even basic utilities like electricity. The best and most equipped are still not digitized, using operation facilities close to the instruments of the Stone Age. This pathetic state does not just hampers smooth operations but continuously constitutes a clog on the wheel of efficiency and optimum service

Most time jetties are safe haven for criminals and men of the underworld. Many criminal gangs and other outlawed nocturnal groups find refuge in jetties .As such, Corporate entities and many other individuals most times are discouraged from using the jetty because of frequent crimes like robbery, kidnapping, swindling etc. .There are also frequent cases of the theft of marine equipment, arson and sometimes, burglary and destruction of properties.
Most of the time jetty operations are not standardized, because of its informal sector outlook. This accounts for why business activities and other processes are not well structured. Though the sector is a source of revenue to government as pointed out, its contribution to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) cannot be ascertained. Close to this, is the issue of multiple taxation on operators and other businesses in the jetty. It is inarguable that the act of over taxation depletes the prospects of business in one hand, while on the other hand, discourages investment in the subsector and helps pipe away profit.

For the leasing of marine / oil and gas equipment, for leasing private jetty or equipment management
Marineng is the best place.
For more info:
www.marinenigeria.con
07036248614
09037490893