NPA in determined effort to ease congestion at ports…constitutes overtime cargo committee

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has inaugurated a joint Task Team/Committee on overtime cargoes, in its effort to decongest the nation’s ports.

The Managing Director of the NPA, Mr. Mohammed Bello Koko, expressed concern over the presence of overtime cargoes as seen across the nation’s ports in Lagos, Onne and Port Harcourt.

Bello Koko who spoke at a meeting organised by the Joint Task Team/Committee held at Port Harcourt said overtime cargoes were part of the congestion in the ports.

According to the MD who was represented by the Port Manager, Onne, Stanley Majagi Eno, congestion at seaports affects ports operations.

He said the Committee would ensure that no cargo overstayed at the ports.

His words: “We want to ensure free movement of cargoes in the ports, the era of abandoned cargoes is gone, we want to improve ports services for efficiency

“If there is inadequate space, it deprives NPA of needed revenue to make for their operation. Overtime cargoes are a common thing in the ports.

“Before the cargo operator picks a new container, old ones have to be removed, and that means multiple handlings.

“When Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) decides to auction the cargoes, the owner gets nothing, the terminal operators get nothing.”

Bello Koko also added that freights in the neighbouring ports of Cotonou appeared lower than what obtains in Nigeria as a result of the issues of overtime goods which affect berthing of vessels.

“Our concern is how issues of overtime cargo can be resolved. These are common problems everywhere.

“NPA is willing to collaborate, to give all its resources, to ensure we have good results from this exercise,” Bello Koko said.