Tag: port

As part of the efforts of the  Federal Government to improve efficiency in port operations and promote the ease of doing business, the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) was inaugurated in Lagos yesterday, by the Vice-President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Ibrahim Kashim Shettima.

The inauguration took place at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) headquarters in Marina, Lagos.

 Addressing over  50 heads of government agencies and private sector captains of industries at the event, Vice-President Shettima, who was represented by the Director-General of PEBEC, Princess Zahrah Mustapha said the inauguration aimed at enhanced efficiency and ease of doing business across the nation’s sea ports.

He said, the committee was launched to change the narrative of missed opportunities in the maritime sector and as well unlock potential opportunities, and enhancing the nation’s economy.

The VP added that improving efficiencies at the nation’s seaports would reduce cargo dwell time, vessel turnaround and turnover for traders and other customers.

According to him: “by improving efficiencies in our ports, we can drastically reduce the average cargo dwell time and turnover time for customers, eliminate duplication of documentation and manual processes, and ensure customers’ satisfaction.

“This is not just another one of our reforms, but this is about resilience, it’s about unlocking potential opportunities, and enhancing Nigeria’s economy. This is not just a committee made up of government force for a difference, this also has a lot of private sector stakeholders.

“It is a call to action for terminal operators to improve infrastructure and for shipping companies to increase efficiency so as to reduce delays, for freight forwarders to uphold compliance, and for regulators to reduce bureaucratic bottlenecks. It is a call for shared ownership of our shared problem and a commitment to deliver a shared solution,” he said.

Speaking on missed opportunities in the port system, Princess Audu, stated that the committee was established to go beyond identifying the problems but to begin implementing the solutions that are long overdue.

“Nigeria loses a lot every single day due to some of our inefficiencies. These are not just numbers, these are missed opportunities. They represent jobs not created, goods not delivered, investments not realised, and economic growth that is unnecessarily delayed.

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“The Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee has been established to change this narrative, to go beyond identifying the problems we already know and begin implementing the solutions we all agree are long overdue.

“At PEBEC, our mandate has been very clear to remove bureaucratic bottlenecks that will allow people do business at Nigerian seaports. Since 2016, we have driven over 200 reforms across sectors, collaborating with ministries, departments, agencies, and private sector and since I came on board, I’ve taken it one step forward.

“So beyond passing or helping pass reforms or policies, it’s time for us to focus on implementation and practical output of what these reforms can translate into. This is why this committee is important to us.

The Parts and Customs Efficiency Committee is not an observer group, it is an action-oriented, high-impact one, charged with driving sustainable improvement in service delivery at the Nigerian ports working hand-in-hand with agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigerian Customs Services, and other government agencies within the ports, technical operators, shipping companies, freight haulers, logistic providers, exporters, manufacturers, and policymakers, this is a reform ecosystem that accommodates everyone” Princess Audu said.

In his welcome address, the Managing Director of NPA, Abubakar Dantsoho, said the authority is currently addressing four major pillars that are critical to repositioning the nation’s seaports and make it competitive withing  the West and Central African region.

According to Dantsoho, investment in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human capacity would improve competitiveness and operational efficiency of the nation’s seqports.

The NPA boss added that port infrastructure, particularly in Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports, is aged and in dire need of rehabilitation.

 “Tin Can was constructed about 48 years ago, Apapa almost 100 years ago—yet no major rehabilitation has taken place all these years,” he said.

He added that recent government approval for the reconstruction of both ports would significantly improve berth depth and cargo handling capacity.

On the technological front, the NPA MD disclosed that the agency is working closely with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) to deploy the Port Community System (PCS), which he described as the backbone for the National Single Window.

Dantsoho stressed that PCS will eliminate paperwork and reduce human interface, thereby improving transparency, reducing cost, and boosting efficiency and revenue generation.

In terms of human capital, the NPA MD said the Authority is intensifying efforts to upgrade the skills of pilots and technical personnel to meet modern navigational and operational demands.

He concluded by reiterating the importance of inter-agency collaboration across all operational areas.

 “NPA cannot do it alone. Efficiency must cut across all segments if we are to truly optimise revenue and compete globally,” he declared.

Maritime experts have warned that Nigeria must urgently consolidate recent port reforms or risk ceding regional trade advantages to neighbouring West African countries.

At a recent industry dialogue hosted by the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), stakeholders emphasised that while progress has been made by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the momentum must not stall.

The forum, which brought together key players including the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), and the Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Port State Control for West and Central Africa, focused on strategies to enhance the country’s competitiveness through digital transformation, regulatory clarity, and improved hinterland connectivity.

Secretary-General of the Abuja MoU, Capt. Sunday Umoren, warned about the consequences of not consolidating reform gains.

He said: “Significant efforts have been made, and it’s time to ensure that these gains are not lost to uncoordinated charges or outdated processes.

“Trade diversion to neighbouring ports can be curbed if Nigeria’s ports remain attractive in terms of cost and efficiency.”

He further stressed the critical importance of connecting ports to inland transport networks.

“Ports are only as strong as their links to inland logistics. NPA’s ongoing collaboration with other government agencies on multimodal transport must be sustained,” Umoren added, calling for urgent investment in roads and rail infrastructure to reduce port congestion and delays.

This call comes amid ongoing initiatives by the NPA to automate port operations and enhance infrastructure across terminals, particularly with new developments like the Lekki Deep Sea Port already showcasing the possibilities of modernisation.

ANLCA President, Emenike Nwokeoji commended recent reforms but highlighted lingering challenges affecting port users.

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“There’s a collective recognition that the port ecosystem is improving, but certain operational issues still drive up cost and dwell time. By streamlining overlapping charges and harmonising processes, we can reduce the burden on importers and exporters,” he said.

Similarly, NAGAFF President, Tochukwu Ezisi, represented by Secretary Emeka Nwosu, reiterated the importance of sustaining reforms through stakeholder coordination.

“We are not unaware of the efforts being made, especially in terms of automation and new port developments. However, more coordination among agencies and stakeholders will help speed up the process and reduce delays,” Ezisi stated.

Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Bolaji Sunmola, whose message was delivered by maritime lawyer, Jean Chiazor Anishere (SAN), emphasised the importance of full-scale digital transformation to align Nigerian ports with global benchmarks.

“NPA’s digital drive, such as the push for a Port Community System, is a welcomed move. The faster we implement it fully, the sooner we can enjoy streamlined operations across the board,” Sunmola stated.

Drawing parallels with world-class ports in Singapore and Rotterdam, Sunmola noted, “Technology has transformed port efficiency worldwide. Nigeria is on that path, and the Lekki Deep Sea Port is already showing signs of what is possible when we embrace innovation.”

He recommended fast-tracking the deployment of the National Single Window, leveraging artificial intelligence for berth and cargo tracking, and expanding public-private partnerships.

“Shared innovation between government and the private sector has been the foundation of successful port reforms globally,” he noted.

LCCI President, Gabriel Idahosa, tied the conversation to the country’s broader trade ambitions under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

“Nigeria’s ports are key to our regional trade ambitions. With stronger infrastructure and regulatory coherence, we can attract more investment and cut logistics costs for businesses,” he said.

Idahosa pointed to the financial impact of inefficiencies in the nation’s ports, estimating losses to businesses at N2.5 trillion annually due to congestion and bureaucratic delays.

“Stakeholders must continue working with agencies like the NPA to ensure ongoing initiatives deliver measurable results,” he added.

As West and Central Africa’s maritime landscape grows increasingly competitive, the message from the forum was clear: Nigeria’s port reform gains must be protected, deepened, and accelerated if the country hopes to become a logistics hub for the region.

A leading Concessionaire at the Apapa sea port in Lagos,  has failed to  fulfill its commitment to invest $3 billion on the Federal  Government’s port development plan in Badagry, thereby short-changing’ the country, The Nation has learnt

The Concessionaires are  investing billions of dollars in other  West and Central African seaports for transshipment – but not doing much  for the government and the people of Nigeria.

A senior official of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue economy who asked not to be identified, accused  the operators of “short-changing” Nigeria by taking advantage of the country’s underdeveloped maritime infrastructure, lack of local shipping capacity, and regulatory loopholes, to invest in other neighbouring ports and causing significant economic losses for the government and its people.

Most of the ports in West Africa and Central Africa, findings revealed, are favoured in infrastructure development by these operators than Nigerian Ports despite our population because of the lack of necessary investment by the terminal operators.

The degree to which the operators have invested in infrastructure and also the equipment which are the two elements that drive progress in the port industry, the official  said, “is very very slow  when you compare what is happening  in our ports to ports of neighbouring countries.”

The senior official  cautioned  that if  the  operators are not properly regulated and called to order by the Federal Government,  its agencies like the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), and other regulatory agencies will continue to lose out on potential tonnage fees, Customs duties and port fees, among others.

The operators, the Marine and Blue Economy senior official said, have a commitment to invest $3 billion in port development plan in Badagry, but have failed to do so since 2010.

“15 years after, the concessionaires are not saying or doing anything about it,” the official said,

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He hinted that the Federal Government might be considering the idea of engaging Chinese operators based on the available evidence that the operators of the terminals are investing heavily in other ports outside the country.

According to him: “Terminal operators have the responsibility of fostering the growth of Nigerian- maritime industry to increase competition and reduce reliance on neighbouring ports .They also have responsibility in investing in modern port facilities and technology to improve efficiency and reduce delays.

“We are aware that the operators are spending $1.5 billion on a greenfield multi-purpose port in Tema, Ghana, located on a site adjacent to the current seaport. Tema’s Port handles about 70 per cent of Ghana’s trade, and it is overwhelmed by cargo traffic.

“The new facility will have 3.5 million TEU of capacity, 17 berths and enough depth for neopanamaxes of up to 13,000 TEU – many times larger than the biggest vessels that currently call at Nigerian port.

“The operators also holds an existing lease at the Apapa terminal in Lagos, Nigeria, the busiest container terminal in all of West Africa. However, it has failed to fulfil its $3 billion commitment to port infrastructure in Badagry area of Lagos State.

“Years back, the Concessionaires said that they were negotiating with the  federal government to build a $2.6 billion multipurpose facility at Badagry, 35 miles to the west of Lagos and 30 miles east of Cotonou, Benin but so far, the company has done nothing about it,” the official said.

As am talking to you, the official said, “ Guinea Conakry with population of 14 million people in 2023,  are investing $15 dollars of money in port infrastructure.

In terms of port development, Ivery coast

Ivory Coast is bigger than us,  Tema- Ghana is bigger than us. Lome is bigger than us,  Porto-Novo and some other smaller countries in the region are bigger than us.”

The Federal Government, the senior official said, “ needs to be more focused so that  the nation’s sea ports can look like port in developed countries and ensure that the private terminal operators reduce the pollution and  end environmental degradation that comes with their activities.”

The senior official  told our correspondent that the money, the leading operators they have invested is less than $1 billion “ and that is why the Federal Government has to go and borrow money to reconstruct the Apapa and Tin-Can Island  ports. If they have been  here for over  twenty years and the government has to go and borrow money, what is the essence,” he asked.

He said further that, “ Nigeria cannot be following countries that have 10 million  people. We are 200 million people. Nigeria is only doing 2 million containers in a year. Some of these operators are not only doing container, they are multipurpose. But container is the key element in the growth of the industry. We cannot be doing 2 million container when we are 200million people.

“Government may need to look for other people from China to replace them.  We have 200 million people that are the consumers of the cargo they take to other neighbouring ports and to be transported to our country because the cargo goes to the owner. The cargo doesn’t go to the country.

“The owners are human beings. Nigerian purchase more than Ghanaians, more than Togolese, more than Beninese. It happens in Dubai and Europe. If Nigerians go there, they call them by their first name. But the operators  still drop containers thare so that Nigerians can go there and send them to our country through trailers and through other unapproved means,” he said.

“Some of the terminal operators are investing more in other ports outside the country. They take transshipment cargo to them despite the fact that they don’t own the cargo, they don’t have the purchasing power and they don’t have the population in their country. They do bigger investment in other countries  They need to get more serious with Nigeria. That is the issue.  The equipment they bringing to our country are second class,” the official said.

The port reforms introduced by the federal government culminating in the establishment of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy continues to gain traction across the West Coast and Central Africa, writes EKAETTE BASSEY

President Bola Tinubu at the onset of his administration, recognised the potential the maritime sector holds in driving the fortunes of the nation’s economy, besides the oil and gas segment.

His conviction led to the creation of a full- fledged ministry to harness the potentials ingrained in the nation’s vast coastline, including maritime transport.

Hitherto, Nigeria had failed to take full advantage of the abundant resources, including the benefits of leveraging on its contiguity with its neighbors on the west coast and the African central region. The Renewed Hope agenda of the government has propelled the new managers of the sector to engage with the neighboring ports and through its professional body, deepen Nigeria’s influence in the maritime sub sector beyond our maritime boundaries.

The uniqueness of the reforms, as it were has propelled the election of the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho as the first Nigerian chairman of Africa’s Premier Maritime body, Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) .

His election stands as a proof  and testament of the impact of the federal government reforms in the maritime sector and confidence in Dantsoho’s ability to transform the industry in the West coast and Central Africa.

Dantsoho’s election was done last week at the 44th annual council and 19th Roundtable of Directors General of  PMAWCA  in Conakry-Guinea. It was indeed a crowning moment for Nigeria with over 400 delegates from over 20 countries present. There was heightened expectations in the run up to the election, but at the end, Nigeria triumphed. Many of the delegates were unanimous in their views that the NPA chief will turn the fortunes of the body around. His election, as expected will see Nigeria wrestle cargos from neighbouring countries.

PMAWCA was established in October 1972 under the auspices of the Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA) and it covers the seaports located along the West Coast of Africa including Mauritania and Angola. The shipping area covers a coastline about 12,000 km. Its ports handle about 300 million tons of maritime import and export trade for the sub-region excluding crude oil.

PMAWCA consists of 24 regular member Ports and eight associate members spanning from Mauritania to Angola along the West African coast. It includes Anglophone, Francophone, and Lusophone countries with official languages in English, French, and Portuguese, as well as observer members in Europe.

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Its objective is to cooperate and share knowledge on best practices in port management and operations in order to deliver efficient and effective port services to our clients (ships and cargo owners), while maintaining the best culture of safety.

Dantsoho said his election represents a significant milestone in the continuing march of West and Central Africa Maritime states towards global competitiveness and delivery of world class services.

He added that the Nigerian government’s commitment to a revolutionary turnaround of Nigeria’s maritime industry, has been characterised by reforms in critical segments of the-industry, including port rehabilitation and modernisation, infrastructure, digitisation and automation.

These measures, he added, would undoubtedly boost operational efficiency as well as revenue generation, while augmenting the federal government’s efforts to diversify the economy by boosting non-oil exports.

He said: “It is with great honour and privilege that I stand before my friends from the countries of West and Central Africa today to accept the mantle of leadership of our great association, PMAWCA and to serve as its chairman. I would like to seize this occasion to affirm Nigeria’s readiness and  determination, as clearly  demonstrated by the Minister of Marine & Blue Economy,  Adegboyega Oyetola in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, to sustain the momentum established by my predecessor Mr Martin Boguikuoma, Managing Director of Gabon Ports Authority and to continue to put all efforts needed in order to  further consolidate the economic cohesion of the region and to actualize the interests of member ports.”

While calling for collaboration among member states, he said it is only through robust commitment and collaboration that the mandates can be achieved.

 “Therefore, I will be seeking your usual cooperation and advice in helping to ensure that we continue to develop the maritime sector in our various countries and the West and Central African sub-region in general.

 “Recalling our deliberations at the Board of Directors meeting, the need to relocate the PMAWCA headquarters to a more visible and befitting place in Lagos Nigeria, the training needs of the Association and the PCS is dear to my heart and will do my very best in this direction to achieve these goals,” Dantsoho said.

Meanwhile, the Federal Government has congratulated Dantsoho. The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, said Dantsoho’s election is a testament to the fact that the effort to turn around the port economy in Nigeria is being recognised by global stakeholders.

Oyetola said the recognition will further fuel Nigeria’s effort to reclaim its maritime global relevance under President Bola Tinubu’s renewed hope agenda.

He said the political will of the President to create the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a monumental step towards harnessing the vast untapped potentials of Nigeria’s maritime sector.

According to him, “I congratulate Dantsoho for his election, it is a responsibility that I am sure he can deliver on. His election has proven the renewed hope agenda of Mr President to turn around the port economy by creating the Marine and Blue Economy was a step in the right direction.

 “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to create the Ministry is a monumental step towards harnessing the vast untapped potentials of Nigeria’s maritime sector. This decision is not only a demonstration of the President’s deep understanding of the economic possibilities of the sector, but also a clear indication of his political will to ensure that Nigeria reclaims its rightful place as a key maritime player globally.

 “The maritime industry has the potential to transform Nigeria’s economy, create jobs, and improve livelihoods. With our rich coastline and strategic location, the country is well positioned to become a key hub for maritime activities in Africa. The creation of this Ministry therefore reflects the government’s commitment to building a future where the blue economy plays a major role in national prosperity.”

In his opening address at the conference, Dantsoho advocated for among other measures, the sustained pursuit and completion of international highway, rail routes cutting across Hinterland and Coastal, such as the Niger, Lagos, Tema and Abidjan to ensure service provision to the landlocked states efficiently and at reduced cost.

The NPA boss who noted that out of the 44 landlocked countries globally Africa accounts for 16 said it is a moral duty for the coastal states to provide access to the sea for the landlocked countries.

According to him, “The question thrown by emerging trends and the current roundtable is more like servicing the Hinterland without scrambling for the service on one hand and how to build shared capacity by coastal states to ensure service provision to the landlocked states efficiently and at reduced cost.

“In doing the above, there should be sustained and sincere agenda to engage in the following: Sustained pursuit and completion of the International Highway routes cutting across Hinterland and Coastal, such as the Niger, Lagos, Tema and Abidjan International Highways, sustained creation of common International Rail routes cutting across Hinterland and Coastal States.”

Others, he added, are; leveraging on the strength of each other to improve on trade facilitation to landlocked countries, sharing of ideas and information on advancement in technology that can result to enhancement of service delivery, technological connectivity between littoral states to expedite transit cargo transportation particularly where multiple transit by water is required within the sub region.

 “Establish multilateral agreements and trading partnerships with neighbouring coastal countries and other regional partners, infrastructure planning: coordinating investments in port infrastructure and transportation networks. The proposed Abidjan to Lagos highway by ECOWAS Heads of State which will link the most economically dynamic cities and ports and the most densely populated urban areas in West Africa is a welcome development.

“Regulatory harmonization: Aligning policies and procedures to facilitate smooth cargo movement. This is critical for transhipment cargo, joint initiatives for security, safety, and environmental protection. This is critical for attracting and sustaining economic development, combining cargo volumes to negotiate better rates with shipping lines, aligning vessel schedules to reduce congestion and increase efficiency. Ports in the region, particularly the Shippers’ Councils must continue to work together on this.”

He also called for, “sharing best practices for terminal operations and capacity utilisation, collaborating on rail, road and inland waterway connections, emergency response planning: Joint contingency planning for accidents or disruptions and engaging in diplomatic and cultural exchange programs: Good relationships foster trust and cooperation.”

He stressed that benefits such as; increased efficiency, improved competitiveness, enhanced customer satisfaction, reduced costs and better utilisation of resources can be derived if the strategic and operational complementarities are synergised.

“From the foregoing it is clear that the relationship between maritime shipping and the hinterland is interdependent, which implies thst surmounting the challenges associated with fluidity of Port operations requires a strong nexus between the maritime space and the hinterland as the two constitute the domain of global freight circulation. Conclusively, ensuring the full optimization of Hinterland Connectivity, requires a diverse approach that combines infrastructure development, digital advancement and diplomatic cooperation measures which I believe PMAWCA is thoroughly equipped and is poised to foster,” he stated.

Speaking, the Managing Director of the Port Autonome de Conakry, Mamadou Biro Diallo said Ports are key hubs for world trade and catalysts for growth.

”But for this growth to be truly beneficial, it must extend beyond the port interface into the hinterland. This is where connectivity and the fluidity of logistics chains play a decisive role. Connectivity between the ports and the hinterland is based on a varied infrastructure network, including roads, railways and sometimes even waterways.

”That’s why the Port Autonome de Conakry is giving pride of place to these challenges, which also involve supporting the development efforts of hinterland countries by offering quality services. Optimising port hinterland services requires an integrated vision of connectivity, fluidity and reliability. This requires strong collaboration between public and private players, a commitment to sustainable investment in infrastructure and greater adoption of new technologies. Together, we can meet these challenges and build more efficient supply chains that will support not only local economies but also global trade,” he stated.

• Operations begin next week

Nigeria and Benin Republic have reached agreements on the commencement of the Tsamiya Dry Port, in a major boost to trades between the two countries.

Located in Kebbi State, Tsamiya Dry Port is a strategic project aimed at enhancing trade and logistics between Nigeria and Benin Republic, designed to facilitate efficient cargo movement, streamline customs processes, and bolster regional economic integration.

Governor Nasir Idris of Kebbi State met President Patrick Talon of Benin Republic in Cotonou to finetune the arrangements for the commencement of operations, scheduled for October 31, 2024. Talon was accompanied at the meeting by his Ministers of Foreign Affairs and Finance.

Idris noted that the meeting with the Talon was in continuation of the efforts to open and begin trade activities at the border’s Tsamiya Dry Port, in order to strengthen economic ties between Nigeria and Benin.

“We discussed strategic partnership and agreed on all proposals for a smooth take-off of the project.

“The agreement between Nigeria and Benin will be highly beneficial to residents of towns and villages along the Sagbana, Tsamiya route.

“On May 21, 2024, officials comprising Nigeria’s Foreign Affairs Minister and the Comptroller General of Customs alongside their Benin Republic counterparts, signed agreement on behalf of the two countries for the establishment of the Tsamiya Dry Port and commencement of trade on the route.

“In furtherance of efforts to actualising the initiative, on August 28, 2024, a trade office was commissioned in Kano by a high-powered joint team of Customs officials from Nigeria and Benin Republic,” Idris said.

Representative of the Benin Republic government, Depute Issa Salifou, confirmed that the Tsamiya Dry Port project would start operation by the end of October.

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He pointed out that besides Nigeria and Benin Republic, the trade activities resulting from the dry port would extend to Niger Republic as Kebbi State shares border with the two Francophone countries.

Salifou said the people, particularly residents along the Sagbana-Tsamiya route, would have their economic well-being improved through the volumes of trade and other economic activities that will be taking place in the axis.

“The project signals the legalisation of trade on the route as this is the first legal Dry Port established on the axis.

“Prior to this development, trade along the route was being carried out illegally through smuggling since independence,” Salifou said.

As part of measures to consolidate the gains recorded in the clearance of illegal check/extortion points and shanties resulting in traffic gridlock on Tin Can Island Port access road, Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Muhammed Bello- Koko, said work resumed on the port access road, yesterday.

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Speaking on the sidelines of the unscheduled visit, Bello- Koko said: “Our zero tolerance for all forms of impediments to free flow of traffic is no fluke, and we are poised to consolidate the gains we have recorded first in Apapa and now Tin Can.’’