Rail project: NPA intervenes in CCECC, port operators’ row over demolition

Nigerian Ports Authority has intervened in the feud between APM Terminals and the China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC) over the demolition of some sections of the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC).

The move, it was learnt, was to ensure that the dispute does not in any way impede on port operations.

The CCECC, a firm handling the Federal Government new rail project, had last week commenced demolition of some sections at the Apapa ports to create room for the construction of the rail lines into the ports complex.

But APM Terminal viewed this as impeding on its operations.

The demolition which took place last week saw some freight forwarders protesting against the action of the CCECC, arguing that their goods which had been cleared got trapped inside the ports as a result of the action.

Head, Corporate Communication at the NPA, Adams Jatto, confirmed that efforts were on going to ensure a peaceful settlement of the feud.

He said the management of NPA under the leadership of the Managing Director, Hadiza Bala Usman, swung into action to ensure that port operations did not suffer as a result of the ongoing standard gauge rail construction.

He said the matter was under control and that there was not cause for alarm.

“We are already talking with the rail project manager of the contractor and the terminal operators to see how we can mitigate the effects of the rail construction on port operations.

“Don’t forget that the rail project is a necessity that the nation has to implement to ensure that the ports are well connected to efficient rail services. However, we are discussing with them so that they can look at their programme and see how we can have an unhindered port operation while the rail project construction is ongoing” he said.

Operations at the Apapa container terminal, operated by APM Terminals were last week paralysed when the CCECC mobilised to site, blocking the truck exit gate and began demolition of structures inside the port terminal, thereby hampering Customs inspection, and affecting the release and exit of containers.

Importers and clearing agents complained that they  been unable to conclude their transactions as at when due while loaded trucks had been unable to exit the port terminal.

The situation has reportedly compounded the Apapa gridlock as trucks piled up on the port access road.

President of the Nigerian Importers Integrity Association (NIIA), Godwin Onyekazi, said although the government should be commended for linking the seaports to the rail network, the project should be implemented in a way that would not hamper port operation.

He said, “What we observed at the Apapa port today shows poor coordination of the rail project. The Chinese contractors handling the rail project should have coordinated with the Nigerian Ports Authority and all the terminal operators at the port to ensure that while the construction is ongoing, port operations are not hampered.

“There is a huge backlog of containers in the port as we speak. To now block the port at this time and make it impossible for containers to exit the port is counterproductive.

“This is also the peak season for importation. More goods are coming into the country and this disruption will mean that these goods will be stranded at the port.

“Consequently, importers will be made to bear the brunt of this action because their goods will be trapped inside the port and they will not be able to take them to the market in good time. Also, they will end up paying more as demurrage and storage charges. This is not good at all.”