…Warns against demarketing the port
…Tasks journalists on full reportage
An appeal has gone to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Oyetola Adegboyega to extend the dredging of ports to Onne Port, in Rivers State to enable big vessels to berth so as to bolster economic activities in the state.
This passionate appeal was made by the Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Onne Port Chapter, Chief Ifeanyi Goddy Isikaku in Port-Harcourt recently.
There has been an approval for the port modernisation of both Tincan and Apapa ports. Recently, Lekki Deep Seaport, Lagos that has a draft of 16.4 had been approved by the federal government to increase it to 19 draft depth so as to allow biggest vessels to berth.
Regrettably, some ports in the Eastern Ports have not been developed both in infrastructure and dredging, rather the federal government is concentrating in developing Western ports. This selective development has impacted negatively on Eastern Ports.
Mr. Oyetola’s action has no doubt left out Onne port, the only viable port with 14.6 draft that needs a serious attention for dredging, the port should be put into consideration for an urgent development.
Isikaku who is also the Chief Executive Officer of Godify Towers Group, also frowned at the negative reports embarked upon by some ill-informed and uninformed persons, especially the resource person who came to deliver lecture on eastern ports, hired by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and he made unpleasant remarks about Onne port, saying, “It’s not functioning.”
The ANLCA Chairman, while refuting the unfounded assertion, queried, “How can one say the port that generates over 50 billions Naira by customs is not working.”
He pointed out the huge investment of $115 billion invested by the West African Containers Terminal, WACT which according to him, was among many that attract activities to the port on a weekly basis.
“How can outsiders began to say that Onne seaport that parade seasoned shipping lines like OMT that has facility for containerized and general cargoes, Maersk line, MSC, PIL with activities on daily and weekly basis are not working? WACT had invested over $115m to develop its terminal. I think the only reason for this is under reporting from the maritime Journalists of the eastern zone.
“Therefore, I call this meeting to enable you to report the Onne port activities and Customs Command on its true position which will change the false impression from outsiders that Onne port is not working”, he said emphatically.
Chief Isikaku, however, debunked the allegations that price differentials, bad roads and insecurity are some of factors that impacted on the zone.
Chief Isikaku therefore, charged eastern maritime journalists to show concern and positive reportage to Onne port that has necessary facilities to operate.
ANLCA Onne Chapter Chairman asserted that the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, DSS, Terminal Operators and other agencies at the port are the ones that can give correct and adequate information on what is happening at the port on daily basis.
Commenting on B’Odogwu launched at Area 2, Customs Command, he explained that the B’ Odogwu system launch which they witnessed as freight forwarders, would enhance the seamless operations of their jobs adding that a freight forwarder can use his android phone to carry out his job at any point, provided the customs agent has an internet facility on his mobile phone.
“B’Odogwu will provide faster and efficient service delivery to both the customs and freight forwarders compared to the previous services of Nigeria Integrated Customs Information System, NICISS II.
On the e-call up system by the Nigerian Ports Authority, he said that the stakeholders’ meeting with the NPA management convinced them that e- call up is not only for congestion as it will also provide security for trucks and safety of cargos leaving the port.
He said, “The Truck Bay that is currently being put in place at the port will provide accommodation for drivers and car maintenance workshops for fixing of faulty trucks. It is a standard best practice as witnessed all over the world, thereby reducing road congestion and ensuring adequate monitoring of movement of trucks from the port.”
The Chairman reiterated his resolve to facilitate collaboration between the journalists and the multinationals operating at Onne for objective and fair coverage of the activities at the port.
Credit: Ifeanyi Nwaoha.
Photo: Chief Ifeanyi Isikaku, Chairman, ANLCA, Onne port in Rivers State.
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