NPA to partners UK Border Force on port security
Lagos ports losing appeal to importers, shippers
Players in the Nigerian maritime sector are pointing at collapsing quayside facilities at the nation’s sea ports located in Apapa Lagos, warning that the situation has compounded the exorbitant charges to drain appeal of shippers to anchor in the country.
Industry analysts surveyed in secondary media reports are worried that maintenance and upgrade are rarely carried on the Nigeria port facilities despite the huge revenue flowing in from the maritime sector.
Pundits quoted in media reports decried that the Nigerian port facilities have suffered long period of obsolescence, warning that consignments meant for discharge at the Apapa quays may soon start diverting to neighboring countries.
They warned that the dilapidating port facilities may cause shippers to start diverting cargoes from Lagos to nearby ports along the Niger Delta and Gulf of Guinea. They also pointed at hikes in freight rates as another issue which, according to them, must be quickly addressed.
According to the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bello-Koko, attention should be focused more on rehabilitating the quay walls. He expressed a common view among maritime players who noted shipping companies would soon get scared to berth ships at the ports. He noted that shippers that feel uncomfortable with the state of the Nigerian quay have the option to divert their cargos to other West African ports.
Members of the Nigerian Association of Master Mariners (NAMM) have also warned that the condition of the port facilities is dangerous. They also lament the rising commercial rates for vessel charters and freights designated for Nigerian ports.
One of them, Mr Adewale Ishola, stated that the current condition of quay facilities portend danger to incoming ships. He warned that the Apapa quays might be considered unsafe for merchant navy.
He noted that safety premium on ships berthing in the country might increase the cost of delivering cargoes to the country.
