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The Nigerian Ports Authority
(NPA) on Tuesday in Lagos said it has embarking on a $1.1 billion port
rehabilitation plan, as part of its efforts to ensure a strong commitment to
improve the nation's competitiveness in the international trade.
The objective of the plan, NPA said, is to enhance the physical infrastructure of the nation's sea ports to accommodate vessels of all sizes and increase the draft at the quay side, with the aim of achieving draft depths of up to 14 meters expressing that the initiative will render Nigerian ports more competitive on a global scale
Speaking during during the second day of the 43rd Port Management Association of West and Central Africa (PMAWCA) conference in Lagos, the Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, disclosed that with almost every port in Nigeria requiring necessary rehabilitation, the NPA has embarked on substantial overhauling of port facilities, starting with the TinCan and Apapa ports in Lagos.
The NPA chief added that the agency is also strengthening collaborations with the private sector to establish new seaports.
He said the Lekki Deep Seaport
has already commenced operations, and that the Badagry Deep Seaport recently
signed an agreement with a Middle Eastern party, with construction scheduled to
commence early next year.
Recognising the inefficiencies associated with road-dependent cargo evacuation, he said the NPA is actively working on alternatives initiatives which include implementing barges and expanding rail infrastructure. He informed that the rail line has reached Apapa port and will soon extend to TinCan port.
To streamline operations and reduce costs, Koko informed that the NPA has embraced automation.
He said: "The authority has
automated its collection system and is collaborating with the International
Maritime Organization (IMO) to introduce a state-of-the-art port community
system, poised to optimize cargo clearance processes"
Acknowledging the need for more efficient operations, he said the NPA is working on clarifying the responsibilities of government agencies within the ports with the newly developed port process manual aimed to reduce overlaps and eliminate duplication of duties.
On security, he said deployment of the "Deep Blue Sea" project, equipped with air and sea assets, is enhancing security in the Gulf of Guinea and contributing to a significant reduction in piracy incidents within Nigerian waters.
He stated further, that the NPA is collaborating closely with the Nigerian Customs to reduce bottlenecks and cut the cost of doing business within the ports.
He also disclosed the development of a 25-year port master plan that will guide the location, sizes, and activities of ports, terminals, and jetties across the country.
He disclosed the master plan will serve as a national working document, uniting all stakeholders towards marine and logistics development.
Speaking earlier, the President PMAWCA, Martin Boguikouma, , urged African countries to address challenges facing the region to be able to receive the new volume of traffic that would emerge due to AfCFTA
Boguikouma listed ways to solve
the challenge as collaboration between Customs and Port Authority to harmonise
Customs procedures.
"We need to ensure capacity building of all seaport and customs officials, and sensitise them on how to address cross border trade.
There is a need to work in
reducing transport cost, investing in efficient transport infrastructure, and
maritime safety through enhanced interstate cooperation,'' he said.
He said Gabon had put in place things that would ensure that free trade become a success.
He listed some the steps taken
like signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on facilitation of trade,
harmonised Customs Duty which are very important for AfCFTA.
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