WATER TRANSPORTATION: NPA Extends Evacuation Of Cargoes From Ports To Epe

As part of its  efforts   in  finding   lasting  solution   to   the  Apapa   gridlock  problems,   the Management of  the  NPA  has   signed  a  Memorandum  of  Understanding (MOU)  with APM Capital to extend the use of barges to evacuate containers from the Lagos ports beyond Ikorodu to Epe sooner.

 

Speaking  when   she   hosted  a  team  from   AP  Moller  Capital   in   her   office  on Wednesday, the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman said the problem of Apapa access road seems intractable because of decade long decadence which was caused by multiplicity of problems.

 

Usman   recalled   the   fact   that   NPA   had   made   several   efforts   including   contributing 1.8billion to rehabilitate the road at a time as well also coming up with “Call Up System”, which would soon be upgraded to be electronically.

 

According to a statement made available to newsmen by the spokesman of the NPA,Engineer Alex Jatto on Wednesday, the MD asserted that NPA would continue to consult with stakeholders across all levels, since the provision of infrastructure is crucial for sustainable ports operations.

 

The MD further assured that NPA will build on the synergy that exist with stakeholders and also commended Ministers of Transportation, the Board of Directors of NPA, and the management of APM Capital.

 

In   his   response,   the   Senior  Investment   Advisor   of   APM   Capital,   Fleming   Dalgaard assured on the construction of a Jetty and Truck Park to facilitate the movement of cargo   with   barges   from   the   port ,  adding   that   they   will   provide   technical capital, competence experience, financial capacity and other required resources.

 

Dalgaard   commended   openness   of  the   management   of   NPA   adding  that   such transparency and efficiency were part of the quality that excite them to come forward for the signing of the MOU.

 

Amongst issues agreed in the MOU include; The NPA in realization of the fact that the provision of infrastructure is crucial for sustainable   operation   of   ports   has   continued   to   pursue   a   programme   of infrastructural investments.

 

The   NPA   and   APMC   entered   discussions   and   have  agreed   to   find   a   lasting solution to the traffic situation in and around the ports, there is a need to provide the level of required infrastructure.

 

APMC has indicated their interest, technical capacity, competence, experience,financial capacity and other required resources to execute or cause the project required resources to execute or cause the project required for the attainment of item 2 above.

 

The project that are currently being contemplated include the construction of a jetty and truck park to facilitate the movement of cargo by barge from the ports APMC understands that some associates investments like construction of truck holding bays maybe required to support the option in item 4 above.

 

APMC intends to commit financial and human resources to further explore these solutions even though the exact nature of infrastructure to be provided may differ from the option currently being envisage in the course of further studies and time spent on the project.

 

Present on the side of the Management of NPA include GM  Board Secretary/Legal services Eniola Williams  and General Manager Public Private   Partnership Mr Usoro Usoro and on the APM Capital side are APMC Advisor, Amina Oyagbola and Senior Associate Rotimi Tewe.Engr. A. A. Jatto General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications Division.