The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recorded a 7.2 per cent increase in cargo throughput, totaling 49.3 million tonnes in the first quarter of 2015.

This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen on Sunday in Lagos by the General Manager, Public Affairs of NPA, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that NPA recorded 45.9 million tonnes of cargo throughput in the first quarter of 2014.

According to the statement, a breakdown showed that general cargo was 6.4 million tonnes, while dry bulk cargo was 2.2 million tonnes.

“Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) shipment was 5.5 million tonnes; refined petroleum products stood at 4.3 million tonnes; while laden containers, which passed through all ports, were 233,331 TEUs.”

NAN reports that empty containers handled were 163,850 TEUs, while 30,649 units of vehicles were handled in the period under review.

The statement explained that 5,139 ocean-going vessels, with a Gross Tonnage (GT) of 61.9 million tonnes, called in all Nigerian ports.

It explained that the Gross Tonnage of Crude Oil Tankers recorded in the period under review (2015) showed a 12.21 per cent increase over the figure recorded in the first quarter of 2014.

The statement added that the Lagos Port Complex (LPC) recorded a Gross Registered Tonnage of 9.2 million tonnes and received 372 vessels in the period under consideration.

“Tin-Can Island Port recorded a Gross Tonnage of 12. 2 million tonnes and handled a total of 435 ocean-going vessels within the period.

“Calabar Port Complex recorded a total Gross Tonnage of 958,288 through 100 ocean-going vessels in the period under review.

“Rivers Port Complex recorded a total Gross Tonnage of 1.4 million tonnes and handled 132 ocean-going vessels in the period under review.

“Onne Port Complex recorded a GT of 12.7 million tonnes with 1,025 vessels handled within the period.

“Delta Port Complex recorded Gross Tonnage of 1.6 million tonnes with 2,816 vessels handled.”

The statement noted that in the first quarter of 2015, the level of operational activities at the ports witnessed positive variance over the corresponding period of 2014.

It explained that the positive achievement could be attributed to growth in Liquid Bulk (crude oil lifting) and General Cargo traffic which could be attributed to the economic recovery in Europe.

“The Nigerian Ports Authority has embarked on palliative measures on the port access roads in collaboration with FERMA with a determination to avoid the gridlock that has affected smooth evacuation of cargo from the ports.

“The Nigerian Ports Authority has also continued to remain focused in making its ports efficient and customer friendly.

“This resolve has seen the Authority taking giant stride to our journey to establish a full complement of Port Community System (PCS) through Integrated Information Flow of logistic process with the introduction of Electronic Ship Entry Notice (e-SEN) which has been integrated on an online payment platform; electronic payment, oracle financials, Oracle HR as major initiatives that will further drive with great speed the wheel of shipping in our ports.

“This is to simplify the payment processes to NPA and enhance the provision of a link to the world economy thereby encouraging international trade.”

The Managing Director of NPA, Malam Habib Abdullahi said the ports had a very strong first quarter, which he attributed to continued attention being paid to first and foremost improving existing port infrastructure.

Abdullahi said these were in areas like rehabilitation of port quay walls and aprons; secondly, deepening the water channels; and thirdly upgrading and renovating the common user facilities.

He also noted that there was wrecks removal from the water channels and other necessary engineering and marine works.

According to him, these would ensure efficiency of the organisation’s service delivery and meeting the expectations of stakeholders and the numerous ports users.

He said with the current repositioning introduced by the Federal Government under President Muhammadu Buhari, the ports would witness further improvements. (NAN)

•Photo shows NPA MD Malam Habib Abdullahi

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