To ensure that there is free flow of traffic within the Lagos Port Complex, for ease of doing good business, the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents (ANLCA) has tasked terminal operators to enable their jetties be operational for the evacuation of cargoes through their barges.
This call was made recently by the Chairman, TinCan Island Port Chapter of ANLCA, Prince Segun Oduntan, saying that terminal operators at Tin-Can port have consented to the use of their respective jetties to ensure the evacuation of containers from the ports to evade the gridlock at the port access roads, for quick and effective service delivery.
Prince Oduntan explained that due to the high charges by terminal operstors for the use of their jetties. it is high time such discrepancies is discouraged.
He noted that the effect of the traffic gridlock, congestion and the suffering of agents on daily basis is so worrisome which has resulted to the setting up of a Committee compromising of all past Chapter Chairmen and its Executives to deliberate on the way forward.
He further stresed that this is the real fact leading to the collaboration with government agencies and terminal operators on finding lasting solutions to address the issue of port congestion.
The committee according to Oduntan has been meeting with Stakeholders like the Nigerian Police, Nigeria Customs, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) among others.
Sequel to the prevailing circumstances ANLCA has urged terminal operators to ensure that cargo evacuation by barges are allowed for efficiency, adding that transport of cargoes by barges are more affordable than through the roads, he said..
The Chairman revealed that the cost of conveying a container laden with goods through the jetties is N270,000 between Tin-Can Island Port and Ikorodu, Epe axis of Lagos State.
He said, “Terminal operators have consented to the use of their shipping companies by agents to evacuate containers through barges, for fast delivery of service to destination.
He sighted that “Tincan Inland Container Terminal (TCICT) received the largest cargo in Tin Can Island Port, and advised that it’s management should endeavour to decongest their terminal through every alternative means, without compromise, he advised.
TCICT refusal to allow importers use their barges, because of the business angle to it which is a grave concern, he argued that other benefits were not considered. They transport their cargoes through its own barge to their annex terminals which include SCOA.
He stated that their terminals have been over congested, the idea of compromising will no longer have effect, the vessels at anchorage has increased tremendously, which has accrued serious delays as they have limited space to discharge cargoes inside the port.
In other to reduce cost of delivery of cargo to owner, the use of barges are more safer on waters and affordable, whereby you are to hire a truck with your container to Ibadan, Shagamu, Benin, and Abuja, rather than wasting N1.5million to Abuja through the roads, to cut cost,an importer can spend N270,000 to move a cargo to Ikorodu, and later get a truck for N500,000 to Abuja through the roads.
With that little logic, over N500,000 have been saved by evading the Apapa gridlock delays it would have caused. He said there are private terminals at Ikorodu, Itokin and Epe areas of Lagos State where barges conveyed containers to, after being released from the port.
The ANLCA chieftain, however expressed concern over the continuous delays of cargoes of companies trapped daily at the Apapa Access Roads, saying that several organizations have either disengaged their employees or issued stay at home till the nation economy is resuscitated.
He therefore commended the laudable efforts of the Chapter Committee which he insisted is currently the “Watchdog at the port, due to its adequate response, and intervention mechanisms strategy, in which the Mile2 and Apapa Oshodi expressway has received tremendous boost, free of traffic gridlock, he said.
