A logistics firm, 4Runner Global Services Limited, has urged the Federal Government to intervene in the operation of the Apapa ports.
The Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the firm, Mr. Femi Dada, at a briefing in Lagos, said the intervention was necessary to ensure the Nigeria Ports conform with international best practises.
He said, “One of the challenges in recent time at the port is the issue of poor Internet service. For days there may not have Internet service to access our documents, even when we have paid. They will still keep charging us even though they are not providing a solution to the Internet problem.”
Dada said these extra charges and the inspections system were some of the problems logistics firm face at the Apapa ports.
“When containers arrive in Nigeria, due to non-availability of space or network congestion, you find out that containers that have arrived three weeks ago are yet to be drawn for custom examination.
“Such things are not good for the present administration’s commitment towards ensuring ease of doing business. In most cases when our clients are supposed to pay N300,000 to get their container out of the port, they end up paying double due to service disruption, he said.
Concerns as drainage problems threaten Apapa port road.
Dada also urged the government to fix the Apapa roads that had been abandoned before the intervention of private firms.
“We still have between Berger and Tin Can that are yet to be fixed which still affects the movement of containers around Apapa corridor,” he added.
