Maritime stakeholders blame cargo diversion to neighbouring ports on lack of automation, single window

By Anita Okoro.

Lack of automation, bureaucracy and absence of a single window are some of the factors responsible for diversion of cargoes to neighbouring countries, stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime sector said on Tuesday.

The stakeholders, who spoke at the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) industry breakfast series said Nigeria must take drastic decisions to reverse the trend of cargo diversion to neighbouring countries.

Nigeria ranks poorly in terms of logistics and the country’s ports ranks 1.97 behind Gulf of Guinea countries like Ghana, Benin Republic, South Africa, Egypt, and Cameroon, which means that those countries have a better port, Afolabi Olowookere, managing director, Analyst Data Service Ltd, said.

He pointed out that Nigeria’s medium-term plan for the maritime sector recognised that its seaports are heavily congested due to the absence of dry ports and efficient multi-modal transport infrastructure.

He, however, stressed that the inland waterways are grossly underutilised with only 3,000 miles of about 10,000 currently navigable.

Improving security and safety in the industry, utilizing technology to increase productivity and ease of doing business, and making inland waterways available will be a cheap alternative mode of transportation, Olowookere said, adding that this would relieve pressure on the seaports and bring cargoes closer to the hinterland in order for the seaports to become a preferred destination in West and Central Africa.

Olowookere advised the Federal Government to automate its port processes, get rid of red tape, and develop its workforce if it wants to create a competitive maritime business.

Hassan Bello, former executive secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), speaking earlier, observed that there is a huge gap between the Nigerian maritime law and practice and called for a review of the Nigerian Maritime Act to change the nation’s maritime narrative.

He advised the government to focus on infrastructure provision in its quest to revolutionise Nigeria’s port processes while also calling for a legislative agenda for the sector.

Funke Agbor, president, NMLA, said the sector is yet to be fully harnessed by the present administration and that the association was concerned about the current state of the country’s maritime industry.