Ports terminal concessionaires in the maritime industry will likely know the decision of the Federal government today, Tuesday as the new port operations agreement they entered into with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will be submitted to the Minister of Transportation Engr Mu’azu Sambo in Abuja today.
The management of NPA had disclosed that a reviewed concession agreement with five terminal operators that have expired has been concluded and ready for submission to the Federal Ministry of Transportation for final approval on Tuesday (today).
Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko told the visiting Minister of Transportation, Engr Mu’azu Sambo who was on a familiarisation tour of the agency in Lagos.
Bello-Koko said that talks among some terminal operators were inconclusive, while some terminal operators are yet to give necessary feedback to the authority.
Speaking of situations of cargo examination at the ports, Bello-Koko lamented the 100 percent physical examination of cargoes at the nation’s seaports, saying it’s affecting efficient cargo inspection as manual cargo examination is cumbersome and inefficient.
He stated that the terminal operators have expressed desire to purchase, maintain scanners at the Nigerian seaports while Customs will operate it.
This, according to him, will make Nigerian seaports more competitive and preferred destinations for cargoes in West and Central Africa.
“Manual examination of cargo in our ports due to absence of scanners is inefficient,not sustainable, cumbersome and can’t make our port competitive. Terminal operators have, however, expressed readiness to purchase and maintain the scanners but the equipment will be maintained by the service. This will make our port more efficient, competitive and efficient in the sub-region,’ he said.
The NPA MD in his presentation to the minister, said the nation’s seaports need to explore alternative sources of power generation to the seaport because of the rising cost of power generation to the seaport.
Besides, he called for the reconstruction of the collapsed quay apron at the Tin-Can Island port and collapsed jetty at Continental Shipyard.
