Vincent Toritseju
Lagos — The Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, has warned shipping firms in Nigeria against not allowing empty containers into saying that ‘‘Failure of shipping companies to remove empty containers at the holding bay will attract sanctions.
In a statement signed by Ibrahim Nasiru, Assistant General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications department of the agency, management also warned shipping firms to ensure that the size of their respective empty container holding bay is commensurate with the volume of containers they bring into the ports, in line with NPA policy on empty containers.
Part of the statement; “Failure to adhere to this will attract sanctions’’
Recall that the NPA in a bid to avert an industrial called by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, and clear the port access roads of every encumbrances appealed to the members of the of the union to shelve the three days planned strike so as to enable the agency workout an efficient cargo delivery system.
In the course of the meeting, NPA’s management assured members of the union and other stakeholders that the problem of congestion and rent seeking on access roads to the ports will soon become history with the scheduled deployment of an electronic-call up system for trucks in January 2021.
Management, it was gathered is also working with the Lagos State Government to provide truck holding bays as part of the implementation of the e-call up system.
“In the interim, management is liaising with the Federal Ministry of Works and Housing for the immediate commencement of remedial works on failed portions of the port access road.
Nigerian importers kick against surcharge on cargoes by international shipping firms
“Management is partnering with the Lagos State Government to deploy law enforcement officers for the maintenance of sanity along the Port Logistic Ring.
“Shipping companies are to be responsible for the movement of empty containers from their holding bays to the Port. Consignees are to drop empty boxes at the designated empty container holding bays.
“Management therefore calls on all stakeholders and Port users to go about their businesses as ports operations will continue unhindered.”
