Ports Congestion: Bleak Christmas for Importers over Trapped Containers
By Francis Ugwoke
It is a bleak Christmas for many importers whose containers are trapped at the ports over the worsening access road in Tin Can Island ports.
It was gathered that no fewer than 500 containers could not leave the Tin Can Island ports after they have been cleared by their owners out of the ports.
The worst hit are importers of some trade goods meant for the Christmas period.
Among the containers are also raw materials whose importers would need them for production.
A visit to both Tin Can Island First and Second Gate showed that the trucks were neither entering nor exiting.
The problem at Tin Can Island port has also led to high haulage cost of moving the containers.
It was gathered that trucks moving containers to Ladipo collect about N1.5m while those going to Alaba International and Computer Village Ikeja collect between N1.6m and N1.8m.
A customs agent, Mr Onyi Ekema who spoke to SHIPPING DAY said the agents clearing the containers have no choice because some of the goods were perishable and meant for the season.
Besides, Ekema said their importers were eager to receive the goods before travelling for the new year.
The repair work on the Apapa Oshodi Expressway which extends to the Tin Can Island port made the matter worse as the road had been closed.
Last week, the Minister of Transportation, Hon Rotimi Amaechi and heads of maritime agencies had visited the Tin Can Island port to see things for themselves.
Among those who visited along with the Minister were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT), Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello.
It would be recalled that thereafter the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport had directed the contractor to reopen the closed road so that movement containers can be possible, but this was not obeyed.
It was equally gathered that to worsen the matter, some disgruntled security operatives still extort truck owners at some toll points.
It would be recalled that stakeholders had called for the disbandment of the Presidential Task Team on Apapa Gridlock for a new traffic management system to manage the Tin Can access road crisis.
Amaechi last week Friday inspected the Tin Can Island port following complaints about congestion that has affected smooth clearance and movement of goods out of the ports.
During the inspection, Amaechi observed indiscriminate parking of trucks which blocked access roads in the port environment.
The Minister said the chaotic situation has to be addressed urgently for the interest of trade facilitation.
He said he will meet relevant maritime agencies on January 19, on the issue.
Terminal operators had recently complained that about 40 vessels were trapped at the Lagos anchorage area as they could not berth as a result of congestion at the ports.
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello said the Council has been present at the ports on daily basis to ensure that issues affecting trade facilitation at the ports are addressed.
According to Bello, urgent action was needed to address the congestion at the ports.
The NSC had earlier said it would be seeking suspension of charges from terminal operators against shippers over worsening gridlock in Lagos port areas.
Bello said the ports economic regulator intends to do this on behalf of the shippers.
The Council’s decision may not unconnected with the strong argument from stakeholders that the importers and their freight forwarders cannot be held responsible for the delay in clearing goods at the ports considering increasing traffic problem in the areas.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman said during the inspection that her organization will introduce electronic call-up system in January 2021.
Usman added that with the call up system, there will not be indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the roads.
She disclosed that under the plan, there will be designated truck parks where vehicles will remain until when called into the port.
The Lagos state government will provide the designated park at Orile to accommodate the trucks, she said…
It is a bleak Christmas for many importers whose containers are trapped at the ports over the worsening access road in Tin Can Island ports.
It was gathered that no fewer than 500 containers could not leave the Tin Can Island ports after they have been cleared by their owners out of the ports.
The worst hit are importers of some trade goods meant for the Christmas period.
Among the containers are also raw materials whose importers would need them for production.
A visit to both Tin Can Island First and Second Gate showed that the trucks were neither entering nor exiting.
The problem at Tin Can Island port has also led to high haulage cost of moving the containers.
It was gathered that trucks moving containers to Ladipo collect about N1.5m while those going to Alaba International and Computer Village Ikeja collect between N1.6m and N1.8m.
A customs agent, Mr Onyi Ekema who spoke to SHIPPING DAY said the agents clearing the containers have no choice because some of the goods were perishable and meant for the season.
Besides, Ekema said their importers were eager to receive the goods before travelling for the new year.
The repair work on the Apapa Oshodi Expressway which extends to the Tin Can Island port made the matter worse as the road had been closed.
Last week, the Minister of Transportation, Hon Rotimi Amaechi and heads of maritime agencies had visited the Tin Can Island port to see things for themselves.
Among those who visited along with the Minister were the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT), Dr. Magdalene Ajani, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, Ms Hadiza Bala Usman and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr. Hassan Bello.
It would be recalled that thereafter the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Transport had directed the contractor to reopen the closed road so that movement containers can be possible, but this was not obeyed.
It was equally gathered that to worsen the matter, some disgruntled security operatives still extort truck owners at some toll points.
It would be recalled that stakeholders had called for the disbandment of the Presidential Task Team on Apapa Gridlock for a new traffic management system to manage the Tin Can access road crisis.
Amaechi last week Friday inspected the Tin Can Island port following complaints about congestion that has affected smooth clearance and movement of goods out of the ports.
During the inspection, Amaechi observed indiscriminate parking of trucks which blocked access roads in the port environment.
The Minister said the chaotic situation has to be addressed urgently for the interest of trade facilitation.
He said he will meet relevant maritime agencies on January 19, on the issue.
Terminal operators had recently complained that about 40 vessels were trapped at the Lagos anchorage area as they could not berth as a result of congestion at the ports.
Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello said the Council has been present at the ports on daily basis to ensure that issues affecting trade facilitation at the ports are addressed.
According to Bello, urgent action was needed to address the congestion at the ports.
The NSC had earlier said it would be seeking suspension of charges from terminal operators against shippers over worsening gridlock in Lagos port areas.
Bello said the ports economic regulator intends to do this on behalf of the shippers.
The Council’s decision may not unconnected with the strong argument from stakeholders that the importers and their freight forwarders cannot be held responsible for the delay in clearing goods at the ports considering increasing traffic problem in the areas.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman said during the inspection that her organization will introduce electronic call-up system in January 2021.
Usman added that with the call up system, there will not be indiscriminate parking of vehicles on the roads.
She disclosed that under the plan, there will be designated truck parks where vehicles will remain until when called into the port.
The Lagos state government will provide the designated park at Orile to accommodate the trucks, she said…
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