Stakeholders identify ways of modernising Nigerian seaports
In order to facilitate speedy transformation of Nigerian ports to be in tune with global standards, there is need to ensure a fully-automated port system, develop a truck terminal that is located 100 metres away from the port, and ensure that trucks gain access into the port using electronic call-up system that is well operated, maritime stakeholders have said.
According to the stakeholders, who spoke at one-day seminar organised recently by Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in collaboration with Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS), eight years into port concession exercise, the Nigerian port industry has been unable to compete favourably with other ports in the West and Central African sub-region owing to factors that have made the nation’s ports unfriendly to port users, resulting in diversion of Nigerian-bound cargoes to ports in neighbouring West African countries.
Other ways that Nigerian seaports can be turned into modern facilities that can compete favourably with other seaport facilities in other parts of the world, the stakeholders said, include constructing a port access roads that is not only dedicated to port users but built to accommodate heavy duty vehicles; minimising Customs queries on clearing documents to a reasonable proportion, especially given the existence of Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR); ensuring 48-hour cargo clearance as well as speedy clearance of industrial raw materials to reduce cost of production for manufacturers and simplification of cargo clearing fast track.
They further highlighted that there was a need to reduce cargo documentation process, curtail human traffic and ensure drastic reduction of government agencies at the port.
Jonathan Nicol, president of SALS, who believed that there is need to reduce the cost of doing business at the port, suggested that demurrage on trucks should commence 24 hours after leaving the destination.
“The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) needs to further reduce the waiting time of vessel; improve turnaround time of vessels; enhance security in the port and reduce NPA charges to facilitate trade,” said Nicol.
On the part of terminal operators, he also suggested reduction of the demurrage fee to a reasonable proportion, especially during all official public holidays; ensuring prompt positioning of containers for examination; refund of excess demurrage charges to importers; release of delivery order within the loading bay and ensuring prompt receipt of empty containers from trucks.
The SALS president further said there was a need for shipping companies to place 21 days demurrage free days on containers; remove container deposit for local deliveries and streamline that of up-country deliveries; give demurrage free on official public holidays; ensure prompt refund of container deposit within seven days as well as prompt evacuation of empty containers.
To have a well-developed port system in Nigeria, there is need to establish a port system that is fairly priced, automated, efficient, offers easy access and ensures prompt settlement of disputes among service providers and port users, said Hassan Bello, executive secretary, NSC.
Such port system, he said, would definitely eliminate corruption and reduce the problem of demurrage and human traffic at the port.
“To find solution to these hindrances, the council as the economic regulator for the port has had series of consultations with several stakeholders, which include shipping companies, other service providers and government agencies, to find ways to collaborate and work together with the aim of finding solutions to the identified problem,” Bello said.
He assured that the council would ensure that there is a level playing field for all stakeholders in the port industry, and also ensure that tariffs are cost-reflective and fair to both service providers and port users.
The council, he further stated, would also use its position as a regulator to ensure that services are provided to the port users at agreed prices while the service level conforms to the benchmarked levels.
Uzoamaka Anagor