26 vessels to arrive in Lagos with petroleum products, food items

The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has declared that about 26 ships are currently on the high sea sailing towards Lagos Pilotage District to discharge petroleum products and various food items.

NPA, in its shipping position made available to The Guardian yesterday, stated the ships laden with Premium Motor Spirit otherwise known as petrol, base oil, gypsum, slag, wheat, sugar, cargo and fish, have started arriving yesterday till November, 2016.

According to the data, the ships are expected to berth at BOP Port, ABTL, GDNL, ENL, APMT, PWA and ACJ ports.

Meanwhile, the NPA said a backlog of vessel waiting to berth has been cleared, with only Team Tango waiting at the ENL Port to discharge fertiliser.

Team Tango motor vessel has been waiting to berth since July 18, 2016, because the Customs are yet to release the cargo (CRNAPP).

Meanwhile, NPA is considering renting in all spaces hitherto occupied by government and private agencies at the nation’s seaports as a source of additional revenue.

The Executive Director, Marine and Operations of the Organization, Dr. Sokonte Davies who gave this indication in Lagos said that as the Port area is a commercial entity, all tenants should be ready to pay for rent at the rate to be determined by the management of NPA.

Davies explained that the payment for the rent, as it concerns government agencies, would only apply to those who have budgetary provision for such rents in the Ports.

He implored operators within the Port to improve the sanitary conditions at their operational areas, whilst assuring that the Management of the Organization would provide them with requisite enabling environment towards ensuring efficient operation at the Port to make their working condition conducive.

He assured operators within Lagos Pilotage district that the management of NPA would strive to meet the needs of shipping companies and terminal operators within the Pilotage district but urged them to fulfill their financial obligation to the organization assiduously.