Port manager calls on NPA to expand seaports

The Port Manager, Apapa Port, Joshua Asanga has called on the authorities to expand the nation’s seaports, to accommodate the growing volume of cargo.

Asanga told newsmen in Lagos that it was obvious that there was a deficit of berthing facilities.

According to him, in 2010, the volume of cargo is growing and this means the global economy is coming up.

The Manager said the market share analysis of the Apapa Port showed that it had 38.8 per cent of the cargo throughput in the country in 2006.

He said the percentage market shares were 27.4 per cent in 2007; 27.5 per cent in 2008 and 32 per cent in 2009.

Asanga said on the average, the port controlled 34 to 35 per cent of the cargo throughput in the country.

He said one big challenge is the cargo dwell time which is not as low as we wish.

The Manager said the cargo dwell time hovered between 22 and 28 days.

Asanga commended the Federal Government's decision to concession the ports, adding that tremendous changes had occurred at the private terminals.

He, however, said the Nigerian Ports Authority still had the responsibilities for security, infrastructure and traffic flow at the ports.