The Shippers’Association of Lagos State has praised the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for taking steps to address the Apapa gridlock.
Its President, Mr Jonathan Nicol , in an interview with The Nation hailed NPA for addressing the traffic challenge.
“In fact, it will ground the economy for a while. The action will definitely affect cargo throughput as most vessels will be diverted to other ports, especially the Republic of Benin and Togo to discharge their Nigeria-bound cargoes.
“Shippers, importers and other traders will have an herculean task of moving their cargoes Nigeria through Seme and associated authorised border routes.
“At the moment, the cost of transportation of containers in Lagos municipality has gone out of reach, forcing some industries to downsize their work force. Some are closing down operations already,” Nicol said.
The association, he said, had started dialogue with major stakeholders in the maritime sector, especially with shipping lines and terminal operators to assist in averting a “state of emergency” in the sector.
“We propose that all Dangote vehicles on the long queue in different locations be given free access into the ports as Dangote Group has effective holding bays in their terminals.
“Maersk Line whose containers are more in the line-up of trucks should also be given free access to their Apapa terminals to discharge their empty boxes.
“This serves as a concession to ease the over-stressed roads and bridges across routes from Maryland through Surulere to Marine Beach through Apapa port,” he said.
Nicol suggested that NPA and the Shippers’Council should control local cost of transportation, adding that increase in haulage fees by truckers should be to be approved by the Council, which is the port economic regulator.
The shipper urged NPA and the Council to bring about an effective regulatory framework agreeable to port users.
He described the association as “a private-driven vehicle to protect and speak for importers and exporters”.
Nicol, however, suggested that the re-construction of the Apapa-Oshodi Expressway be put on hold.
“The bad spots on the route should be repaired. The Apapa-Marine Beach Road must be completed and put in use before embarking on the Apapa-Oshodi Road re-construction,” he said.