Bonded terminal operator charges FG on quick fix of port access roads

…receives awards of efficiency from ICPC ambassador

Apparently worried by the negative impacts of bad roads on businesses around the port axis, a foremost off dock operator, Chief Damian Emeka Obianigwe has called on the federal government to urgently fix all major roads leading to the ports and hinterland saying roads are the fulcrum of businesses.

Chief Obianigwe, Group Chairman, Fano Shipping Agencies Limited, made the call yesterday while receiving an award presented to him by Ambassador of the National Anti – Corruption Coalition Advocate and United Nations Ambassador On Anti-Corruption; Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and Independent Producer, PortBizness on Radio One 103.5fm respectively.

He averred that the bad state of the port access roads needed urgent attention

He also condemned the indiscriminate parking of trucks along the port roads, describing it as an eyesore to the international community.

Speaking on the recently introduced E-Call up system for trucks, the Fano Group CEO lamented that the system had failed to meet up with the desired goal of establishing it saying the bad roads are inimical to the nation’s economy.

His words, “As a Nigerian and as a businessman in terminal operations, I cannot allow the poor port system to consume my investment.

“We will continue to manage the roads but it is unfortunate that our infrastructural decay is telling on our business negatively.

“The bad roads is rubbing on our business and we have been complaining but nobody is responding to our yearnings.

“The major problem we have in Nigeria is the state of our roads. The vehicles we have on our roads are more than the roads, and the roads are not motorable, therefore government should have a rethink on how to revamp other modes of transportation.

Speaking on the moves by the National Inland Waterways Authority ( NIWA) to convey containers to Onitsha River port through barges, Obianigwe lauded the innovation, saying it would reduce the pressure of consignments on the roads.

He noted that the movement of containers through barges to the eastern ports would further reduce the cost of doing business in the maritime sector.

While speaking on the multiple awards, he stressed that transparent leadership has been his hallmark.

Highpoint of the event was the presentation of awards to the recipients of the terminal, namely the chief executive and a female Terminal Manager at the facility ,Mrs Oruieh Princess Akuabata by the National Anti – Corruption Coalition Advocate and United Nations Ambassador On Anti-Corruption and Independent Producer, PortBizness on Radio One Fm 103.5fm.

On her part, Mrs Akuabata lamented that bonded terminal operators were not carried along in the test running of the  e-call -up system, but added that the innovation by management of NPA has good intentions and motives.

She stated that enlightenment from the NPA earlier on the stakeholders would have eradicated the teething problem in the initial stages.

She also appreciated the various groups for the awards noting that transparency and accountability brought about the laurels and achievements.

“The award took unaware but I know that our terminal deserves this award.”

Earlier, Ike Johnson, UN Ambassador, National Anti – Corruption Coalition Advocate and United Nations On Anti-Corruption and Independent , described Fano Bonded Terminal as the best in the area of transparency and accountability.

He said five other terminals were inspected thus the need to honour those worthy of emulation.