The Nigerian Ports Authority said on Thursday that contrary to misconceptions, its charges remain competitive and not the highest among ports in the West African coast.
Even though it did not disclose the source of the ‘misconceptions’, it nevertheless insisted that it is still cheaper to berth ships in Nigerian ports when compared with ports of neighbouring West African countries.
In a statement signed by its General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Jatto Adams, the NPA revealed that researches have shown that it is cheaper to do business in Nigerian ports than elsewhere in West Africa.
Justifying its argument, it said that, “in May 2019, Messrs Crown Agents, who were commissioned by the Authority with the support of UK Aid produced the result of an assessment which revealed that it is cheaper to berth general and container vessels in Nigerian ports than it is in Ghana and Togo”.
Giving an insight into what Messers Crown Agents found out, it said that, “while it costs $94,567.63 VAT inclusive to berth a general cargo vessel with GRT of 26,770, LOA at 196m and cargo of 14,100 MT in Nigerian ports for instance, ports in Ghana and Togo charge $217,879.07 and $120, 357.58 exclusive of VAT for the same types of cargo respectively”.
“Similarly, while the Authority charges $108, 806.90 VAT inclusive on a container vessel with 39,906 GRT, LOA of 261m carrying 172×20” and 139×40” containers, ports in Ghana and Togo charge $117,906.58 and $128,406.94 exclusive of VAT respectively.”
The NPA also explained that, there are charges such as Stevedoring charges, freight rates and terminal handling charges that are collected by other operators in the cargo handling and delivery chain, that are not within its control.
“The Authority would also want to reiterate that apart from towage dues, which were reviewed to cover the cost of providing the service in 2015, our tariffs have remained the same since 1993. This is also in spite of the erroneous inclusion of Stevedoring charges, which is collected by Terminal Operators as the Authority’s component. Costs like freight rates and terminal handling charges are components outside the purview of the Nigerian Ports Authority, which has no powers to regulate economic activities at the ports”, it added
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