NPA Raises Concerns As Truck Drivers Frustrate Dispatch of Export Containers At Apapa Port

…Designates Lilypond Terminal As Final Export Processing Centre

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has accused truck drivers of deliberately frustrating the quick dispatch of export containers to the nations port, especially the Apapa port

This is even as the Authority has officially designated the Lilypond Container Terminal as the final processing centre for all export cargoes heading into the Apapa port.

Speaking in Lagos on Thursday, the NPA Port Manager, Lagos Port Complex, Mrs Bola Funmilayo Olotu lamented that truck drivers carrying loaded export containers, rather than approach the port directly, they now hang around the port corridor looking for more businesses and Terminal Delivery Orders (TDO)

She lamented that despite the fact that the Authority has used enforcement on the truckers severally, the act is still going on.

According to the NPA port Manager, the attitude of the truck drivers is affecting the nation’s economy because, Nigeria cannot compete effectively among ports in the subregion if its Exports are not delivered in the right quality and quantity.

“For the export, we are having a present challenge whereby trucks loaded with export goods, on getting to the Creek Road in Apapa, they start turning for TDO’s and refusing to come into the ports.

“For those who are not aware, they would say it is the customs keeping them, this is not true. Everything has been completed, but these people are now looking for a two-in-one transaction

“You would see them hanging around port corridors, we have used the enforcement on them severally” she said

Mrs Olotu said that presently, Lilypond Terminal has been identified as the final export processing centre for export goods coming to Lagos port complex.

She assured that in due course, the Nigeria Customs Service and other agencies would be informed of the take-off date because a lot of renovations are ongoing at the terminal.

Going forward, she said “Whatever is done and sealed at the terminal can now approach the port without any stoppage along the port corridor, its just for the containers to come into the port and directly onto the vessels.

“When we are import dependent nation, it is not building up our economy, it is when we are able to export our goods and they reach the destination in the right quality and quantity that we can begin to compete effectively among ports in the subregion”