Sifax Indicts NPA On Port Infrastructure

Indigenous conglomerate; Sifax Group, has indicted the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for failing to provide infrastructures for port concessionaires, particularly in the area of power supply to illuminate of the port as well as  provision of fire equipment.

General Manager of Administration and Human Resources of Sifax; Dr. Phil Ofulue tabled the accusation on Monday at a summit organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos.

Indigenous conglomerate; Sifax Group, has indicted the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for failing to provide infrastructures for port concessionaires, particularly in the area of power supply to illuminate of the port as well as  provision of fire equipment.

General Manager of Administration and Human Resources of Sifax; Dr. Phil Ofulue tabled the accusation on Monday at a summit organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos.

Ofulue said that since the concessioning of the ports in 2006, Ports and Cargo Terminal at the Tin Can Island Port which is managed by Sifax Group has not had electricity supply. This according to the concession agreement is supposed to be one of the responsibilities of the NPA as landlord of the port.

Ofulue pointed out that the terminal has had to run on generators and that it had to buy generating sets every six months.

He however said that since port concession, Port and Cargo has been able to make a number of investments and developments at its terminal at the Tin Can port.

"If you get to the Tin Can Port you will see the efforts we have made in terms of equipment, improving infrastructure, the government also has its role in this business to play"

"Since May 2006 when we took over Tin Can, we have not had NEPA light, we have been buying generators every six months because we need light every day and night in order to illuminate the port if we want to have an itch free operation"

Ofulue pointed out further that in 2005 when the port was concessioned, the other agencies at the port also ought to have been reformed.

Even though he refused to mention names, Ofulue said that some major agencies have been a spanner in the wheel of operations at the port.

"We expect that not only NPA will be reformed, other relevant agencies also need to be reformed, some major agencies are yet to be reformed".

"If you call nine out of ten clearing agents and importers, the source of their worry lies with these agencies" he said.