Clearance of the Tin-Can Island port access road by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has resulted in a rise in the quantity of exported cargo from the country. During a recent visit by the chairman of Board of Trustee (BoT), Taiwo Mustapha, president of the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Emenike Nwokeji, and other members of the association, the managing director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, emphasized the importance of clearing the port access road. He said the effort is key to improving business operations and boosting Nigeria’s Trade balance by supporting Export activities.
The purpose of the association leaders visit to the NPA headquarters was to commend the managing director for taking action to solve the ongoing traffic congestion issues at the Apapa and Tin Can Ports, which have been a major hindrance to business operations in Nigeria for the past ten years. Bello claimed that overcoming the long-standing traffic congestion issue, which was leading to significant financial losses and a damaged reputation for the country, was achieved through dedicated efforts to make ethical decisions and form cooperative partnerships with the Lagos State Government and key players.
Traffic congestion due to high volume of trucks caused bottlenecks.
Bello-Koko confirmed the NPA’s dedication to honouring the commitments outlined in the Presidential/ Ministerial Performance Bond in order to maintain order at the Port entryway, leading to a remarkable rise in export figures. He emphasized the importance of a newly created Service Level Agreement (SLA) for cargo evacuation, stating that it will be enforced with increased determination to support the continuous expansion of exports. This expansion is crucial in reaching the national trade surplus needed to bolster the local economy.
Moreover, the Tin Can Island Port, the second busiest port in Nigeria after Apapa Port, manages various types of cargo through specialized terminals for dry and wet bulk, box-containerized, and RORO services. The port boasts modern equipment and facilities for efficient cargo handling, with a strong focus on road transport as the primary method of connection. The port experienced bottlenecks as a result of traffic congestion caused by the high volume of trucks coming in and out of the facilities, as well as parking on access roads while waiting in turn.
Recent overhaul of the road has provided a much-needed relief.
Until recently, the Apapa and Tin-Can Island seaports were plagued by traffic congestion, illicit activities, and financial losses amounting to billions of Naira annually for the federal government, importers, exporters, clearing agents, and commuters alike. Amid the crisis, Nigerian ports lost their competitive edge compared to other ports in West and Central Africa. Importers started rerouting their shipments to nearby countries because of the inefficiencies at Nigerian seaports, a problem that worried the federal government.
Truck drivers faced insurmountable challenges with gridlock and illegal activities at the Ports, resulting in a minimum two-week wait time for access. Importers suffered from daily surcharges due to delayed cargo delivery, adding to storage and Demurrage fees. Additionally, the gridlock caused delays in cargo processing and ship turnaround times. However, the recent overhaul of the port access road has provided a much-needed sense of ease for those using and operating at the port, following a period of significant losses caused by the poor road conditions and traffic issues. Bello’s firm stance on enforcing a strict no-tolerance policy towards any obstacles hindering traffic flow is proving to be effective.
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According to the latest foreign trade report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), Nigeria achieved a trade surplus of ₦6.5 trillion in the first quarter of 2024. The NBS report revealed that Nigeria’s exports amounted to ₦19.1 trillion, while imports reached ₦12.6 trillion during the same period, resulting in a significant trade surplus of ₦6.5 trillion. This trade surplus was determined as the country exports more goods than it imports, indicating a favourable balance of trade in the economy.