Nigeria’s government engages maritime stakeholders on clearing overtime cargos from ports

The Federal Government has consulted stakeholders in the maritime sector towards freeing the nation’s ports of overtime cargoes.

Speaking during a stakeholders’ sensitisation meeting organised by the joint task team handling overtime cargo at ports, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Magdalene Ajani lamented that the problem was impeding operations.

Ajani, who was represented by Director (Maritime Service), Ministry of Transportation, Babatunde Sule, said port space is premium.

“The place is not for long-term storage. The business of ports requires high turnover. The ports need to be free of storage space. When they stay too long, charges are incurred,” she said.

Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko, said the presidential committee set up would ensure cargoes do not overstay unnecessarily in the port.