As the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) continues work to connect the Lagos Port Complex in Apapa Port with a rail line, importers and other operators have urged the construction firm to ensure that cargo evacuation from the port is not disrupted.
They said any further disruption may make the truck owners increase haulage cost as they are already contending with that. In November 2020, the importers and clearing agents said there were disruptions when CCECC mobilised to the site and blocked the container terminal truck exit gate. President of the Nigerian Importers Integrity Association (NIIA), Godwin Onyekazi said there were reports of plans to demolish the container terminal exit gate but however commended the move to link the port with a rail line, to ease the road traffic congestion.
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“We, however, wish to appeal that the rail project being driven by the government should be done in such a manner that does not lead to a blockade of the port as we have seen at Tin Can, which is almost totally blocked due to bad roads and rent-seeking on the port access road.
“We, therefore, appeal to the railway contractor to execute its task in a way that does not disrupt the inflow and outflow of cargo. This is important to avoid creating a situation where importers will be compelled to pay more in freight costs, haulage, storage and demurrage charges,” Onyekazi said.
A clearing agent at the Apapa Port, Monday Ekanem, said there was need for proper coordination to ensure seamless flow of traffic at the port.
