Mkpoikana Udoma
Port Harcourt — The Nigerian Ports Authority has denied rumours of deliberately and unnecessarily delaying cargoes from leaving the port, saying that it was not in the Authority’s interest for cargoes and consignments to litter the complex and constitute a menace to port users.
The Port Manager, Onne port, Mr. Stanley Magaji Yitnoe, explained that NPA, since the concession to terminal operators, has assumed the landlord role at the ports and has no direct function in cargo handling and clearance, adding that cargo clearance was the statutory duty of the Nigerian Customs Service.
Yitnoe, stated that NPA remains focused on creating an enabling environment for business to thrive at the ports, rather than in taking measures aimed at frustrating the seamless exit of consignments.
He spoke during a courtesy visit by members of the Maritime, Energy Media Practitioners, led by Dr Ralph John.
“NPA has nothing to do with delay of cargoes. In fact, we charge demurrage for unnecessary delay of cargoes. So, it is not true that NPA stops any cargo from leaving the port after NCS clearance,” he said.
Also, the Traffic Manager, Onne Port, Prince Zhattau, pointed out that the demurrage charged by NPA was to discouraged shippers from keeping their cargoes in the port after clearance
He disclosed that the NPA offers shippers a grace period to get them to remove the consignments and free the space for other port users.
Earlier, the National President of MEMPON, Dr Ralph John, called for a partnership between the media and NPA, in order to build a synergy to tackle the issues confronting maritime development in the country.
One of such issues, was the need for urgent reconstruction and rehabilitation of the Eleme section of the East-West Road, which was the major access road into the Onne port.
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