PORT CONCESSIONAIRES: FG To Revoke Three Licences From Lagos Seaports

Fresh facts  have emerged that three port concessionaires  in the  Lagos Seaports may lose their operational licenses from the federal government.

 

The most likely terminal operators insider sources from the government told our correspondent last week, revealed that one of the concessionaire is situated at the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) while two others are located at Tin Can Island Port Complex.

 

It was gathered that some  government officials had concluded inspection tour to the terminals in Lagos last month, even as they expressed dissatisfaction over the ill-equipped infrastructure  at some of the affected terminals.

 

It was gathered that while two of the affected terminals handle general/bulk cargoes, the other deals on containerised cargo.

 

Our correspondent was informed that during the visit to the terminal at LPC, management of the facility were grilled with barrage of questions which were unattempted for obvious reasons that centred on lack of equipment and poor working environment for workers.

 

“This terminal in question is the busiest as far as general cargo importation is concern but we are shock to find out that there is no tangible development there since 2006 when they are given operational license .

 

“It was quite unfortunate that the concessionaire of  this terminal did  nothing to improve on facilities since the terminal was handed over to them.

 

“We were not happy with what we saw during our inspection tour to that facilities at the Apapa port.

 

“In fact the owners of the terminal was initially given five years but they declined , insisting that they should given  15years because they heard  APMT had a 25 year extension.

 

” They never knew that APMT deserves it because during our visit to APMT we are satisfied with what we saw and they deserve it but for this particular terminal we are talking about; I don’t think they deserve any extension.”the source affirmed.

 

Asked if the license will be revoked from the terminal operators in question for their inept, the reliable source said ” I think government will decide on that but really what we saw on ground was an eyesore.”

 

 

Harping on the other two concessionaires at Tin Can Island Port, he noted that the story is not different from that of Apapa port but fingers crossed government will take a decision on the container terminal and general/bulk Cargo Handling Services soon.

 

 

By Roland Ekama