By Godwin Oritse

The Lagos Port Complex, LPC, of the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has said that it moved over 10,000 containers by rail in the first half of the year 2024, H1’24, surpassing the 2023 full-year volume of 9,000.

Disclosing this at the just concluded stakeholders roundtable meeting hosted by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Apapa, Lagos, the Apapa Port Manager, Mr. Charles Okagha, also said that the documentation of vessel operations has now been fully automated, a development that has reduced the time of processing such documents by over 80 percent.

Okagha explained that before automation, it took about two weeks to process vessel documents as against two hours as currently.

He commended the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service for increased exports currently being recorded at the port adding more export trade will grow the economy and strengthen the Naira.

He stated further: “We are proud to say that between 2022 and 2024, there has been a tremendous increase in export. For the first time in a long while, we have a positive balance of trade concerning exportation.

“Stakeholders, including the Nigerian Customs, have received support in ensuring that port access roads are clear. This time last year, we had an average of 40 to 50 container trucks entering the port by road. Today, we have days with up to 122 trucks carrying around 240 boxes (containers) into the port. This is a step forward. “Our export has increased; using 2022 as a baseline, our export value in 2024 is projected to be 15% higher than in 2022, and 15% higher in 2024 compared to 2023. This indicates that policies to ensure smooth export movement are working.

“I am proud to announce that the Customs resident commands in the ports have been instructed to refrain from interfering with exports once cargo is cleared and released.

“The Apapa Port, where I am the port manager, operates 24 hours a day, which has improved cargo flow in and out of the ports. However, there are still issues with infrastructure around the port, particularly the roads, which are in poor condition.

“Contracts for some road portions, especially from Costain to the Ijora Park area, have been awarded by the Federal Ministry of Works. The NPA has been engaging at the highest level to ensure the roads around the port are fixed.

“Railway movement of cargo has also improved; last year we had about 9,000 moves, and in the first half of this year, we’ve had over 10,000 moves by rail. Nigerian Port Authority’s shipping documentation is now done online, reducing document processing time from about two weeks to less than two hours, provided everything is in place. “

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