Tunde Keshinro, general manager, Ports and Terminal Multservices Limited (PTML), a terminal located at the Tin-Can Island Port, has decried the growing number of overtime cargo that have been abandoned at the terminal since 2016.
According to him, overtime cargo is currently occupying more than 30 percent of commercial space in the terminal due to the failure of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to auction them as required.
Keshinro stated this when a team of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) led by Amine Mati, its mission chief to Nigeria, visited the terminal at the weekend.
“Since 2016, we have been struggling with 30 percent of our space that was locked up under abandoned cargo because Customs has not been auctioning and that has become a serious concern for us,” he said.
Continuing, he said: “Terminal operators sell spaces. How quick and fast we were able to turnaround space determines the profitability of the business. So, when certain portion of the space is locked up, that already will limit productivity.”
He further listed that the absence of clearing agents and failure to take delivery of cargoes during the weekend, as another factor affecting operations at the terminal.
“While the terminal is open 24 hours every day including weekends, clearing agents and banks do not operate during the weekends. Even on weekdays, clearing agents do not resume work until 1 pm, thereby wasting crucial operational hours,” he noted.
According to him, as terminal operator, PTML has deployed online payments and Customs also deployed online payments, but not all the banks gives value of online payments.
“If you go to the examination bay on Saturday, nothing would be happening there. In that state, if the ship discharges on Saturday, there would not be any other opportunity to do further activities on the cargo till Monday or Tuesday. We want other agencies to work in the real sense of 24 hours operations, not just on paper,” he solicited.
He further listed security concern, illumination problem and access road difficulties as challenges facing port operation in Nigeria.
