Apapa perennial gridlock: powerful Pen Media Chapel organised special Congress to brainstorm on way forward
(By Asuquo Nuwak):
Group photograph taken at the end of the Congress:
Following the perennial traffic gridlock hindering growth of businesses in the maritime industry, especially within Apapa ports, the Powerful Pen Media Chapel, organised a special Congress where stakeholders brainstormed on the way forward.
The Chapel, which is an affiliate of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Lagos Chapter, realised that there was need for terminal operators and shipping Companies not providing holding bays to be sanctioned accordingly.
That was part of the resolutions reached at the end of the special Congress held in Apapa,, Lagos.
The programme with a unique theme: ‘Apapa Traffic and Skyrocketing Inflation in the country, Effects on port operations and maritime Industry’, focused on addressing the traffic crisis, in order to enhance development in the sector.
Our correspondent in Lagos reported that participants at the Congress were drawn from among importers, exporters, freight forwarders, licensed Customs agents and truck owners.
The participants include Chairman, Tincan port chapter, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Alhaji Kazeem Isa, as Special Guest of Honour, National Secretary of NCMDLCA Comrade H. Okwuosa, as Guest, Chairman, Bonntex Nigeria Limited, also a long standing member of ANLCA, Mr Boniface Okoye, as key speaker, a top official of National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and also the Public Relations Officer, Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA) Alhaji Inua Abdullahi, as Guest Speaker and Dr Emeka Enebili, as Chief Host.
According to the Communique issued at the end of the Congress, Apapa Traffic contributes 35 Percent to why Nigerian port is the most expensive within West African sub-region.
The document stated, “Apapa and Tin-Can are the two most vibrant ports in Nigeria, but lacks adequate maintenance if access roads.
Government has allowed a cabal to hijack maritime business in Nigeria to the detriment of the entire economy.”
