Only intermodal haulage can drive effective cargo removal from ports, end demurrage
The managing director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has opened up on the reality of effective discharge of cargoes and containers from Lagos ports.
Explaining issue on the efficiency of port usage in Abuja recently, she said “the idea of removing every cargo out of the ports could not be effective without intermodal transport links”.
She agreed that Apapa Port had everything in place to ensure that the success of the 24-hour operations except intermodal transport system.
For now, goods and cargoes can only leave Lagos ports via the roads. Whereas the rail system is still facing the challenge of renewal, having been abandoned since the dislodgment of colonial masters, there seems to be no plan on redeveloping the waterways for container haulage from any of the Lagos ports.
Speaking on a television programme recently, the NPA boss said there had been improved operational efficiency since the terminal operators took over the operations of the ports, adding that with the recent reversion to 24-hours operations, the goal of Nigeria having the best ports in the sub region would soon be realised.
According to her, Lagos ports had recently experienced a surge in the export of soya, yam and some other agricultural produce, as well as solid minerals, and that these would help improve the government’s foreign currency reserves.
On the issue of operational security within and around the ports, she averred that “Freight forwarders have raised security concerns about receiving their consignments at night, we have brought this to the notice of the Port Police Command who are already working on handling the situation”.
“The rehabilitation of Apapa access roads will be done in segments, and we have earmarked alternative routes during the period of the job.”
The repair of the roads is being done by the Dangote Group, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc and the NPA.
To arrive at a workable benchmark for all future dredging operations for better navigable channels on Nigerian port waterways, Hadiza Usman promised to support efforts to get quick approval from the Federal Executive Council for the development of the framework for the national single window, owing to it importance in the maritime industry.
She agreed that she would build on the existing synergy between the organisation and the Nigeria Customs Service so as to realise the desire to make the NPA the hub of maritime activities in the West African sub region.
