The executive secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council(NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello has urged the federal government to embark on full ports concession by providing rail and road infrastructure to meet the anticipated increase in cargo throughputs.
According to him, the purpose of concessioning the ports so as to enhance efficiency, reduce corruption and turnaround time have been achieved but the required logistics to evacuate the cargoes has not been provided, thus, leading to the present long queues of trucks at Apapa and Tin-can Island ports.
Bello, who said this at Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN)’s 34th Anniversary and Awards with theme: ‘Pains and Gains of Concession,’ averred that, the access roads to Apapa should have been expanded prior to the concession agreement.
He also posited that, in line with the concession agreement, some terminal operators have completely digitalised their operations while some freight forwarders have not been reformed.
