Ports and Cargo Handling Services, a subsidiary of Sifax Group has disclosed that cargo dwell time at its terminal at Tin Can Island port has dropped significantly in the last two years.
It however lamented that lack of power supply and issues of bad roads and government policies are killing their business.
Ports and Cargo Handling Services, a subsidiary of Sifax Group has disclosed that cargo dwell time at its terminal at Tin Can Island port has dropped significantly in the last two years.
It however lamented that lack of power supply and issues of bad roads and government policies are killing their business.
The Managing Director, Port and Cargo Handling Service Ltd; Mr John Jenkins made this known when the Executive Secretary Nigerian Shippers' Council, Mr Hassan Bello and top officials of the regulatory agency paid a working visit to the terminal yesterday.
Speaking on some of the challenges faced by the terminal operator the MD said that in two years, dwell time of cargo has reduced, but stated that that government has failed to provide constant power and conducive environment for business to thrive.
Jenkins said the advent of Nigerian Shippers’ Council and its policy has given them hope to remain in business operation in Nigeria in spite of the government’s failure to provide constant power supply and a conducive environment for them to operate.
“In this year, our dwell time has reduced drastically. We will like the council to partner with the terminal operator” he told his guests.
He also stated that the concessionaire has introduced online billing to reduce human traffic at its terminal in order to fast-track service efficiency.
"We have introduced online billing to reduce human traffic at the port and fast track efficiency," Jenkins said.
He urged the council to introduce individual and collective workshop to champion the way forward on the delivery of cargo.
Also speaking, Director, Human Resources, Administration and Commercials Services, Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited; Mohammed Bulangu said that the traffic situation is affecting their business, adding that the affect on their business is quite enormous.
The former General Manager, Western Ports of the NPA added that the terminal is faced with power problem, adding that since inception of the terminal, the concessionaire has been running on generator for 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
Speaking on the deplorable state of the roads linking the ports, he noted that the roads are failing because of the heavy tons of vehicles that ply the expressway making it difficult for cargoes to exit the terminal.
Earlier in his remarks, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council Barrister Hassan Bello, assured the concessionaire that their challenges will be addressed by the government
Bello said government owes the investors guaranteed investment on their businesses saying that protection of investment brings about competition in the sub region.
He also called on the Sifax subsidiary to cooperate with the council in order to bring about effective regulation.
"There is need to cooperate with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council since it has been gazette as the commercial regulator.
"It is important to transform the port and make it hub in the West African sub-region. The council has intervention as regards to traffic," he said.
He further said that there was need for modern shipping practice where the council will listen to their complaints and convey same to the government.
The executive secretary also said the council would be having continuous dialogue by looking at the factors affecting cargo dwell time at the port.
"Government has the responsibility to create conducive atmosphere for terminal operators to operate for equilibrium in Nigeria port operation.
Bello however advised the terminal to extend its operations to hinterland adding that the Kaduna Inland Container Deport had been gazetted.
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