Uzor Odigbo
The Nigerian Shippers Council on Tuesday, raised the alarm over looming congestion at the two seaports in Lagos, following the recent border closure and the gridlocks affecting movement of consignments.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Hassan Bello who decried the looming port congestion at a stakeholders meeting, noted that consignments that are supposed to go through the land borders are diverted to the seaports thereby increasing cargo throughout in the ports.
The Executive Secretary who was represented by Akintunde Makinde, Director, Inland Transport Service of the Council, said that the event was organised to seek a lasting solution to the perennial gridlock.
Bello said: “In our task of improving and increasing efficiency in our ports, I am seeking your support in this new year.
“We have a looming congestion at our Lagos ports, this is partly occasioned by closure of our land borders which has caused the problem.
“The cargoes diverted from borders are coming in through the seaport, This has shot up the throughput in the port suddenly.”
In her welcome speech, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman said that the issue of the gridlock is a problem to all stakeholders in the port environment.
She added that the agency is seeking a permanent solution to the menace, hence the interaction with the people.
Usman who was represented at the gathering by Umar, Port Manager, Tin Can Island Port said, “The issue of gridlock is a concern to any stakeholder.
“We are looking forward for permanent solution that will put an end to the problem.
“You know it has to do with the issue of ongoing road construction, issue of trucks not following due process and some many other things.”