The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) has said the port processed about 70,000 Twenty Foot Equivalent Units (TEUs) of exports in 2023 as against 50,000 units of export cargo which it handled in the previous year.
Port Manager of Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Mr. Charles Bamidele Okaga who made the disclosure during an interaction with media men in Lagos also said the port handled 8000 export by rail as against the 5000 which the port handled in 2022.
The Port Managers explained that in 2023, the port moved 55,000 export cargos as against the 38,000 recorded in 2022.
Okaga also said the Port received 10,000 by barge as against 8,309, adding that the port is better positioned now to support international trade.
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He said; “TEUs of export increased by 20,000 in 2023. This was achieved because of the robust collaboration with stakeholders, government agents and the Nigeria Customs Service.
“The collaboration we have is on how to speed up the movement of export with shipping lines” he added.
The Port Manager further said the port is better positioned now to support international trade within and outside Africa, disclosed that the management of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) is collaborating with sister government agencies and private sector operators to ensure the port meets users needs.
He added that export is a very critical element of the national economy, particularly with the government’s agenda of diversification of the economy to non-oil export and that that Nigeria’s largest port complex is ready to participate and contribute in the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA)
According to him, the management of NPA has put measures in place to remove all difficulties associated with import and export through the port including removing human element challenges facing the electronic call up system for trucks entering the port complex.
The port manager explained further that the port utilises intermodal means to convey goods either by road, rail or barges and serves as a one stop area of transit for foreign trade.
“Export is a very critical element of the national economy, particularly with the government’s agenda of diversification of the economy to the non-oil export.The nature of export we are talking about this time around is to grow the volume of locally produced goods and services that are exported through the ports.
