UDEME  CLEMENT

The closure of port terminals in Lagos  and suspension of port operation for 30 hours, from 12 midnight of Wednesday 29  to 6am of Thursday 30 September, was not good for the nation’s economy, according to operators.

Fashola

The chief executive officer, Ships & Ports Communication Company Limited and maritime consultant, Mr. Bolaji Akinola, revealed that his firm lost not less than N1billion as a result of the closure.

Akinola stressed, “As a result of the closure, maritime activities within the Elegbeta channel and by extension the Lagos territorial waters were put on hold. The closure of Lagos territorial waters shouldn’t have lasted more than twelve hours as a result of the presidential fleet  review by the Navy as part of the activities to mark the independence aniversary. I do not see any justifiable reason for the shutdown of port operation for  30 hours, crippling economic activities in the maritime industry.

“There was absolutely no reason why all the port terminals in the Lagos area were asked to shut down for that period. While ships were not allowed in, operation on the ships at berths and operation in the yards should have been allowed to continue as these had no bearing on the fleet review.

“The ordered closure of the port terminals would have negative economic impact on terminal operators, shipping companies, importers, haulage firms and other port users who recorded huge revenue losses due to that closure”.