The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents has called on the Federal Government to focus on building an efficient deep seaport capable of handling Nigeria's cargo and transshipment business. According to the council, the country does not need multiple seaports, but rather one that can serve as a transshipment and load centre. This call was made by the National President of the NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, during an event marking his 73rd birthday in Lagos.
Amiwero identified the proliferation of seaports without adequate infrastructure and cargo destinations as a major contributor to inefficiencies in Nigeria's maritime sector. He suggested the establishment of a committee of maritime experts to review the country's entire port system, including the Lagos Port Complex, Tincan Island Port, Lekki Deep Sea Port, and Calabar Port. This review, he believes, is necessary to address the challenges confronting the ports and develop a system that would enable Nigeria to compete effectively with other countries in the West and Central African sub-region.
Amiwero expressed concerns that Nigeria is losing transit and transshipment cargo to neighbouring countries, including Ghana, Togo, Benin Republic, and Cote d'Ivoire. He stated that the country has a large share of cargo within the West and Central African sub-region but is not benefiting adequately due to inefficiencies in its port system. According to him, Nigeria has almost 78 per cent of the cargo within the region, but the country's port system is not efficient enough to attract and handle this cargo.
Comparing Nigeria's port system with Ghana's, Amiwero noted that Ghana has fewer ports but is attracting cargo due to its efficiency. He cited the example of Ghana's single major port, which has a higher throughput than Nigeria's ports due to its efficiency. Amiwero argued that Nigeria should concentrate on developing one major deep seaport that can serve as a transshipment and load centre, rather than establishing several ports that lack the infrastructure and cargo to operate efficiently.
Amiwero also raised concerns about the infrastructure at the Lekki Deep Seaport, particularly its rail connectivity and capacity to handle the largest container vessels. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to engage professionals and maritime experts, rather than politicians, in addressing the challenges facing the port industry. According to him, the country's port is suffering due to a lack of procedures that are not properly enhanced.
The NCMDLCA president advocated for increased transshipment activities at Nigerian ports, saying the country would benefit economically from attracting mother vessels. He noted that the failure to attract such vessels means Nigeria is losing the associated freight and other economic benefits to neighbouring countries. Amiwero also criticized what he described as political interference in port and customs operations, urging the government to ensure that the maritime sector is administered according to clear laws and professional standards.
Amiwero further called for clarity on port concession and lease arrangements, particularly where agreements have expired. He emphasized the need for Nigeria to harmonize the activities of relevant stakeholders and develop a legally grounded framework for managing the country's ports. According to him, the concentration of cargo in Lagos is linked to the location of major manufacturing companies and markets, and simply developing ports in other parts of the country will not guarantee cargo unless there are industries and destinations to support them.
Key points
- The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents has urged the Federal Government to focus on building an efficient deep seaport capable of handling Nigeria's cargo and transshipment business.
- Nigeria is losing transit and transshipment cargo to neighbouring countries due to inefficiencies in its port system.
- The country's port system needs to be reviewed and developed to enable Nigeria to compete effectively with other countries in the West and Central African sub-region.
