Amaechi Inspects Tin Can Island Ports, Seeks Urgent Solution to Congestion
The Transport Minister, Hon Rotimi Amaechi 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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