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By Steve Agbota
The Minister of Transportation Muazu Jaji Sambo, has expressed worries over the alarming rate of overtime cargoes lying fallow at the nation’s seaport.
Addressing stakeholders at the Onne and River port over the weekend, he said the ministry is worried over the issue of overtime cargoes, urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to do something regarding the overtime cargoes at the port, even as he called for a port community system that will help facilitate trade at the eastern zone.
“The issue of port community system is doable, we can do it in six months, if we have a port community system it will save time and help bring about more revenue,” he said.
He added that the Ministry is keen on working with the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to grow the fortunes of the Eastern Ports, adding that the Eastern Ports given their boundless potential are strategic national assets that the current administration is poised to develop to their full potential.
He commended the stakeholders for the partnership given to NPA Management and other agencies at the state, saying that the renewed synergy which is a critical success factor for the optimization of the Ports.
Muazu further said his tour of the two Port Complexes has thoroughly furnished him with a deeper grasp of the contemporary issues while
assuring that the stakeholders shall soon heave a sigh of relief as the ministry ramp up work to grant approval to the several initiatives for Port efficiency put forward by the NPA.
He said the ministry will tackle the challenge of channel insecurity which has slowed the growth momentum of the Eastern Ports by deploying assets of the Deep Blue project and the renewed synergy between the NPA and the Nigerian Navy.
He explained that the recent growth in vessel traffic in Onne Port especially for exports is a testament to the strategic importance of the Eastern Ports in supporting the renewed export orientation of the President Muhammadu Buhari administration.
“The Ministry is keen on working with the Management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to grow the fortunes of the Eastern Ports and I will like to state for the records that the Eastern Ports given their boundless potentials are strategic national assets that this administration is poised to develop to their full potential.
“I will like to seize this moment to appreciate the partnership the NPA Management tells me it has enjoyed from you our esteemed stakeholders and to call for renewed synergy which is a critical success factor for the optimization of this Ports.
“As some of you are aware my antecedents in this sector has equipped me with knowledge of some of the issues. My tour of the two Port Complexes has thoroughly furnished me with a deeper grasp of the contemporary issues, and I want to assure you that we shall soon heave a sigh of relief as we ramp up work to grant approval to the several initiatives for Port efficiency put forward by the NPA,” he said.
