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By Steve Agbota, Lagos
In order to discourage delay and boost cargo exportation, management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has concluded plans to vacate APM Terminals Apapa from export screening gate starting effective May 1, 2024.
Managing Director (NPA), Mallam Mohammed Koko, Bello gave the directive during a quarterly stakeholders meeting organised by Bellington Cargo Limited held in Okokomaiko, Lagos State.
Koko Bello who was represented by the Port Manager, NPA Lagos Ports Complex (LPC), Charles Okaga, who responding to questions raised by stakeholders about the numerous challenges faced on export cargoes, especially at APM Terminals and Tin Can Island Container Terminals (TICT) respectively.
He reiterated that management of APM.T Apapa has been mandated to steer clear any form of hindrance for cargo laden trucks on exports, adding that the federal government frowned at any obstacle against exportation.
Koko Bello maintained that Export Processing Terminal (EPT) has come to stay in promoting trade facilitation alongside the ease of doing business at the nation’s seaports.
“The APM terminal is to move their export screening gate to the main gate of the port so that once their activities are concluded, any export truck that moves into the port will drive straight to the terminal without any further impediment or encumbrance to his movement into the port,” he added.
On the large turn out of stakeholders at the meeting, he said questions raised are valid and about 70 per cent of the issues have been addressed.
“And the ones we are hearing for the first time today we will address it and the way we are address by calling for a stakeholder forum where we get to cross fertilise ideas from stakeholders and from the cross section of participants. We listen to various options and then we come to a decision that is workable, practicable and decisions that are easily workable,” he said.
Speaking on the Bellington facility, he said it is a brave attempt by indigenous business concerns to help in economic growth and development.
“The facility as you can see is a one stop facility for export and is an attempt to bring port operations to the grassroot and closer to the hinterland,” he added.
He also urged exporters to key into the Africa Continental Free Trade Agreement (AFCFTA), saying that the establishment of Bellington Cargo Limited along the Lagos Abidjan corridor is instrumental for exportation of Nigerian products.
Also speaking Managing Director, Bellington Cargo Limited , Mr. Augustine Esiekpe called on the government at all level to look inward and address the harassment and extortion by thugs (Agberos) of truck drivers and motor boys.
Esiekpe lamented that designated exports have suffered many setbacks because of the situation along the roads orchestrated by urchins.
He noted that the an enlarge stakeholders meeting will hold in two months to brainstorm and resolve most of the bottleneck militating against export adding that more agencies of the federal government like the Nigerian Shippers Council will be in attendance.
Earlier, a cross section of stakeholders in attendance accused management of APMT Apapa over alleged delay of export cargoes at the port terminals.
They lamented that export cargo spend close to 13 days at APM.Terminals which according to them negates trade facilitation .
They lamented that the concessionaire has been instrumental to delay of export consignments at the facilities.
