Port Delays: Poor Equipment, Multiple Inspections Driving Cargo Clearance Crisis — First RIT
Importers and other users of Nigeria’s ports are facing prolonged cargo clearance delays due to inadequate handling equipment, limited terminal space, multiple inspections, Customs alerts and alleged illegal checkpoints, a maritime operator has said.
Managing Director of First RIT Nigeria Limited, Mr Eric Umeh, made the observation in a chat with newsmen in Lagos, calling for urgent investment in port infrastructure to reduce cargo dwell time and improve efficiency.
Umeh urged the Federal Government to deepen and expand the Lagos ports, improve coordination among government agencies and make better use of Inland Container Depots and rail transportation to ease pressure on the major ports.
He also raised concerns over the poor condition of port access roads in the eastern region, particularly Port Harcourt, saying the situation was discouraging importers and undermining the competitiveness of the area.
He called for the rehabilitation and expansion of access roads leading to the Port Harcourt ports to make the facilities more attractive to users.
Umeh welcomed the Federal Government’s planned modernisation of the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports, backed by a £746 million financing arrangement, saying the investment could significantly transform Nigeria’s maritime sector if directed towards critical infrastructure gaps.
He said priority should be given to creating additional container stacking areas, improving cargo-handling capacity and increasing the draft of Lagos port channels to enable them accommodate larger vessels.
The First RIT boss cited the experience of trucks returning empty containers to terminals, saying some drivers could spend four to five days outside port gates before the containers were received.
Such delays, he noted, directly affect vessel turnaround time and increase cargo dwell time, ultimately raising costs for businesses and consumers.
Umeh also backed the decision to commence the port modernisation programme with Lagos, noting that the Lagos ports handle a significant proportion of Nigeria’s import and export traffic.
He, however, urged the Federal Government to extend similar investments to the ports in Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar, stressing that modern infrastructure across the regions would strengthen Nigeria’s maritime competitiveness and attract more port-related business.
By John Obot
