Shippers Council Worries Over Ports and Cargo Low Performance On Efficiency

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Mr. Hassan  Bello has accused management of Ports and Cargo Handling Services (PCHS) owners of terminal C and D for poor service delivery and efficiency in port operations.

 

Bello who disclosed this during a meeting with the concessionaire on Tuesday, in Lagos, lamented that the gridlock was a major issue to contend with at Tin Can Island Port but urged the concessionaire to up its operational efficiency and improve in the area of delay in  transfer of containers to  off dock facilities and clearance of consignments from the facility as at when due.

 

The Executive Secretary noted that the council will not hesitate to sanction the concessionaire over failure to improve on efficiency and service delivery.

 

According to him, business should be perceived as win win situation pointing out that the ports are set for automation by 2021.

 

Bello noted that the council’s performance analysis in 2021 for port concessionaires revealed that the SIFAX owned facility scored below average, with 35% rating performance against other notable terminal operators.

 

He also reaffirmed the council’s commitment to partner with indigenous terminal operators but stressed the need for efficiency and effective port operational prospects.

 

“This port must be automated because we look at the port and we don’t find your terminal very appealing. Infact our analysis revealed that Ports and Cargo scored about 35%, while others have 75 % and 65% and i think it is just logical for your terminal to improve on your operations .”

 

He also lamented that the barging operation has not made significant impact to reduce the gridlock along the port corridors at the SIFAX owned terminal.

 

But responding to the observations made by the management team of the council, led by Bello, Managing Director PCHS, Mr. John Jerkins disagreed with the posers , stressing that SIFAX GROUP had invested on infrastructure to enhance its efficiency.

 

He argued that the deplorable state of the roads linking the terminal was the major problem affecting port business.

 

Jerkins urged the council to refute statement of inefficiency at the terminal adding that the chaotic situation of the road has collapsed major businesses in Nigerian ports thus no fault of the terminal operator.

 

 

By Roland Ekama