By Steve Agbota
Due to absence 24-hour port operations, Nigeria is losing about N9.6 trillion annually, according to maritime stakeholders.
For years, the stakeholders said 24-hour port operation has remained a mirage largely because of lack of political will and a constellation of factors, which border on the superficial to the complex.
However, Daily Sun learnt that between 2017 and 2020, Nigeria lost over N38.4 trillion due to lack of 24-hour port operations. This means port economy loses about N9.6 trillion annually, N800 billion monthly and N200 billion weekly.
Conversely, nations that have been operating 24 hours port operations around the world have been reaping the effects and benefits.
For instance, Port of Antwerp, in Belgium, Port of Jebel Ali, also known as Mina Jebel Ali, located in Jebel Ali, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Durban Port in South Africa, the second largest container port in Africa after Port Said in Egypt; all have one thing in common: they run 24-hour operations efficiently and these made these ports efficient and competitive.
Ironically, Government stands to rake in huge revenue if the 24-hour port operation is being implemented and taking serious. For instance, Apapa Customs Command that generated N16 billion in one day recently can double the its daily revenue generation if Apapa port has a workable 24-hour operation, according to experts in the industry.
Stakeholders who spoke with Daily Sun identified poor access network, lack of data processing, security, safety of lives and power supply as the major obstacles impeding against 24-hour port operations.
Speaking with Daily Sun, the former acting National President, National Association of Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Dr Kayode Farinto said the 24-hour port operations will remain mirage until government is ready to coordinate it.
“24-hour port operation requires a lot of things, you talk about the responsibility of the government viz aviz, provision of light and security, are they available? The answer is no. They are not available. Then you talk about the responsibility of every stakeholders. Until government is ready to do 24-hour port operation, we will continue to loose money on daily basis.
“I’m one of those that actually advocated that we need 24 hours port operation to decongest our port and to make our port a situation where you bring in your cargo, it leaves as a transit point. But are we really serious? Government is not serious about. And because of this lackadaisical attitude, the very stakeholders too are paying lip service to this 24-hour port operation.
“Until stakeholders will sit where they will be a kind of town hall where two or three ministers will be involved. Minister of Finance, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and Minister of Transportation. We now look at what are the impediments to the success of 24-hour port operation.
“There are too many things that need to be considered and they are too many things that need to put in place. But if we are able to achieve that I will tell you that it will go a long way in enhancing and improving revenue generation for Federal Government. But for now, we are paying lip service to 24-hour port operation,” he said.
Recently, Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port Command, Comptroller, Dera Nnadi charged freight forwarders and shippers to embrace 24 hours port operations being priotised by the command for efficient service delivery.
He said the 24 hours operations will reduce unnecessary demurrage and fast track cargo clearance in the Port, adding that people have to be in the Port during the weekends to clear their cargoes.