The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has
identified the lack of infrastructure as one of the factors responsible
for low cargo throughput in the Eastern ports.
identified the lack of infrastructure as one of the factors responsible
for low cargo throughput in the Eastern ports.
The NPA Managing Director, Ms Hadiza Usman, made the observation at the Nigeria Port Consultative Council meeting in Lagos.
The managing director identified
insecurity, depth of the ports and poor roads and rail infrastructure in
states where these ports are located and links roads to warehouses
within and out of the area as challenges.
insecurity, depth of the ports and poor roads and rail infrastructure in
states where these ports are located and links roads to warehouses
within and out of the area as challenges.
Usman said that for the Eastern ports to
attract cargo, there must be improvement on infrastructure that would
aid port transaction in the zone.
attract cargo, there must be improvement on infrastructure that would
aid port transaction in the zone.
“There is no need for shippers to en
route their cargoes to places where they will find it difficult to reach
their warehouses and end users.
route their cargoes to places where they will find it difficult to reach
their warehouses and end users.
“There has been this issue of restiveness
in the area and no investor will like to toy with his or her goods,
hence the prefer Lagos ports where security is guaranteed unlike in the
eastern ports.
in the area and no investor will like to toy with his or her goods,
hence the prefer Lagos ports where security is guaranteed unlike in the
eastern ports.
“Calabar port is strategically located to
be able to service the North-East and the North-West, but the linking
roads to the areas from calabar is bad. Articulated vehicles cannot ply
the route,’’ Usman said.
be able to service the North-East and the North-West, but the linking
roads to the areas from calabar is bad. Articulated vehicles cannot ply
the route,’’ Usman said.
She appealed to the relevant government
agencies responsible for infrastructure related development to assist
the authority in the provision of the needed infrastructure for smooth
cargo operations in the zone.
agencies responsible for infrastructure related development to assist
the authority in the provision of the needed infrastructure for smooth
cargo operations in the zone.
The managing director also called on the
coastal communities to ensure security and less restiveness among the
youths in order to attract investment in their area.
coastal communities to ensure security and less restiveness among the
youths in order to attract investment in their area.
Usman assured investors that the
authority was working in partnership with the Nigerian Navy and the
Marine Police to restore sanity on Nigerian waters.
authority was working in partnership with the Nigerian Navy and the
Marine Police to restore sanity on Nigerian waters.
