AfCFTA: NPA Introduces Tariff Regime on Transit Cargoes, Sets to Take Delivery of 2 Tug Boats At Lekki Port

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NPA Managing Director, Muhammed Bello-Koko

NPA Managing Director, Muhammed Bello-Koko

By DAPO OLAWUNI

In order to ensure that Nigeria takes full advantage of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) through the newly built Lekki Deep Seaport in Lagos, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has announced that it is coming up with a new tariff regime that would encourage tran-shipment and transit cargoes back to Nigeria.

Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko gave the revelation at the weekend when the Minister of Transportation inspected the Lekki Port project.

Bello-Koko said that NPA is set to take delivery of two 80 tonnes bollard pull ASG tugboats and two pilot boats for deployment to the seaport.
In addition, he said the authority is in procurement of Vessel Tracking System (VTS) for the Lekki channel and other port locations in the country;

According to him, the authority is already in discussions with Lekki Port operators on AfCFTA, and that approval of the Minister on the tariff would be sought when concluded.

“The operationalization of this port before the end of 2022 would help Nigeria take full advantages of AfCFTA, we are already in discussion with them on tariff on transit and tran-shipment cargoes, these kinds of cargoes are sensitive to tariff, it means that it is coming to this port before it gets to final destination.

“This discussion is taking place and we would come back to the Honorable Minister of Transportation for necessary approvals that would encourage transit and tran-shipment cargoes back to Nigeria, this was happening at Tin Can and Apapa on the early days, but before because of the multiple checkpoints on the highway.

“If transit cargoes come here, it would be loaded on smaller vessels from the mother vessels and moved to other countries, this would be of economic advantage to Nigeria” he said

The NPA boss noted that this is the first time that Nigeria would have a port that has Ship-to-Shore cranes, adding that this would bring efficiency and change the way cargoes are being moved around the port.

“We have been clamouring for how to reduce congestion in Tin Can and Apapa port and this is one of the best solutions we have gotten.
There is Minimal human interference in activities, there would be ease of clearing goods and taking them out,and the scanning system is one that would scan containers while at the port” he said

Continuing, he said “The port authority has the responsibility to provide marine services, currently, about two 80 tonnes bollard pull ASG tugboats is about to be delivered very soon, we also have pilot boats that would be delivered soon”

He stated that a marine services building would be erected inside the Lekki Deep Seaport to house NPA officials and its control tower.

Bello-Koko said that Lekki Deep Seaport would be a learning point for other proponents who are coming up with deep Seaport in terms of timelines, and ensuring that things are done properly.

“This is the template for execution and speed of any deep Seaport in Nigeria, we would not go lower than this. We have a couple of proposals for deep seaports recently signed by FEC, and there is Ibom Deep Seaport and Bonny Deep Seaport.

“The automation deployed here is fantastic, quite commendable, the processes would be almost free of human interference.

“The other existing ports would still be viable, but what we have done is to create alternative for Importers and exporters to chose where they can do business. The operators of the existing ports would also up their game in terms of equipment and processes” he said

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