By Godwin Oritse
The Managing Director, Peak Shipping Agency Limited, Mr Adebayo Oyedokun, has decried the dilapidating berthing facilities in and around the Lagos ports.

Oyedokun stated that the deteriorated state of the facilities is currently adding to the cost of shipping by payment of demurrage  and and at a cost to the economy.

Speaking with newsmen in Lagos  recently, Oyedokun stated that the limitation confronting the berthing and sailing of vessels in Nigerian ports is an age-long  problem adding that although, Nigerian Ports Authority is trying its best, nonetheless some areas should be revamped in the sector to bring about efficiency.

He pointed out  that if the government does not put the right machinery in motion in the industry, one should expect problem, pointing out to a situation where a principal officer in Nigerian port is not available to sign an important document like berthing clearance without delegating power to his subordinate thereby delaying the whole process of berthing and sailing of vessels.

Oyedokun commended the Federal Government’s decision on port concessioning, but however urged the Government to ease the sailing and berthing of ship on our ports in order to reduce tension on the ports.

He stated that government should encourage their officers in charge of the ports by given them all the necessary support, noting that if they are financially motivated and comfortable, they will go the extra mile in the job.

On the issue of touting, the shipping agent reiterated that there is nothing the government can do to totally eradicate touts but could only curtail them.

Oyedokun  stated further that some of the touts are being used by some stakeholders to carry out their daily jobs in the ports, saying that they are seen as touts in the port when there is nothing for them to do at a particular time.

To reduce or eradicate touting on our ports, he urged the government to assist by training them and employing them in the shipping industry.

The Managing Director disclosed that Peak Shipping Agency which is barely two years in the industry is one of the fastest growing shipping agencies in the country adding that the Company has one of the highest protective agencies in Nigeria.

Oyedokun who was the Head of Operations at Zenon Oil and Gas for nine years explained that in order to succeed as shipping agent, human relations and adequate logistics must be put in place.

He noted that cost management and job satisfaction were the things that basically attracted clients like Sahara, Danco, Litrale, Capital Oil, Emadeb, Oil Bath, Royal Oil and Gas, Aquataine, Octogone to mention a few, to patronize the Company both in Nigeria and Greece. “Our offices are in Warri, Calabar, Port- Harcourt and also in Ghana,” he said.

According to Adebayo, Peak Shipping gained access to these places base on his experience in the shipping industry over the years and the professionals that work with him.

This graduate of Public Administration noted that, what gave Peak the edge over other shipping agencies include, commitments to company’s goal, good working principle and efficiency in managing clients. “We capitalized on the deficiency of other shipping agencies by doing what they have not done, he added.”

He pointed out that the company does not give outrageous bills to clients but faithfully revealing to them what it takes in the course of working for them.

His words: “As a Public Administrator and experience shipping agent, we furnished our clients with the necessary information that is profitable to make their business grow because we see all our clients as partners in progress. As long as you keep satisfying your clients they are ready to patronize you.”