NPA bars export cargoes to ports over backlog of 600 trucks

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) has barred export cargoes from Lagos ports for two weeks over backlog of over 600 trucks.

Speaking recently with one of the radio stations in the country, Managing Director, NP, Hadiza Bala Usman Hadiza, Managing Director, NPA said the new directive which became necessary to prevent parking on port access roads, is effective from Monday 22rd, March.

“All export cargoes for two weeks will not be allowed access into the port.

“We have a backlog of over 600 trucks that have approached the port coming out of their truck parks and are currently in that location within the port corridors, within the Lilypond. So, we are suspending all export cargoes,” she said.

Hadiza explained that the suspension will enable consultations with export cargo stakeholders and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on harmonizing the procedures required for export.

Hadiza further said that some exporters contribute to traffic gridlock by approaching the ports without completing their documentation.

“This has been a challenge for us, the documentation, in terms of readiness of the terminal operators to receive them, some of the certifications they require from supervisory agencies based on the type of exports that they carry. They also have several custom certifications and CBN documents that they need to complete.

“Recognizing that as a problem, we have invited the export promotion council to join us this week to meet with the large exporters to make them understand the procedures as it relates to documentation. If any of your documents are not ready, you must remain within your location. Actually, you shouldn’t even start your journey to the ports,” she stressed.