Determined to finding lasting solution to the problem of Apapa gridlock, the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with APM Capital to begin the use of barges to evacuate containers from the ports in Apapa to Epe sooner.
Speaking when she hosted a team from AP Moller Capital in her office in Lagos on Wednesday, Hadiza Bala Usman, managing director of the NPA said the problem of Apapa access road seems intractable because of decade long decadence in infrastructure, which was caused by multiplicity of problems.
According to Usman, the NPA had made several efforts including committing N1.8 billion to rehabilitate the road, and develop manual call up system, which would soon be upgraded to be issued electronically.
She said the NPA would continue to consult with stakeholders across all levels in area of providing the needed infrastructure, since the provision of infrastructure is crucial for sustainable ports operations.
“NPA will build on the synergies that exist with stakeholders to ensure there is Ease of Doing Business at ports,” she assured.
In his response, Fleming Dalgaard, senior investment adviser of APM Capital, assured that the company will ensure the construction of a jetty and truck park to facilitate the movement of cargo with barges from the port.
He added that the company will provide technical capital, competence experience, financial capacity and other required resources.
Dalgaard, who commended the management of the NPA of their openness in doing business, added that such transparency and efficiency were part of the quality that excite the company to come forward for the signing of the MOU.
The MoU reads: “The NPA and APMC entered discussions and have agreed to find a lasting solution to the traffic situation in and around the ports, there is a need to provide the level of required infrastructure. APMC has indicated interest, technical capacity, competence, experience, financial capacity and other required resources to execute or cause the project required.
Recall that in 2018, the NPA entered into partnership with Connect Maritime Services Limited and commenced the movement of export cargo from Ikorodu area to Apapa port, using the inland waterways.
AMAKA ANAGOR-EWUZIE
