Maritime stakeholders, comprising port service providers and users, have identified a range of policy issues, infrastructure deficits and cultural orientation limiting the nation’s plan to attain 24-hour operations at seaports.
These challenges, as well as innovative solutions, were highlighted at the 5th JournalNG Port Industry Town Hall Meeting themed: “Bridging the Gaps to Actualize 24 hours Port Operations”.
Speaking at the summit on Thursday in Lagos, the Chairman of Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, observed that the quest to actualize 24-hour operations at Nigerian seaports is no longer aspirational, but a necessity.
“With a carefully sequenced strategy anchored on technology, sustainability, and stakeholder alignment, we can reposition our ports as efficient, secure, and economically transformative assets.
“As Chairman of NPCC, I reaffirm our commitment to this vision. We invite all stakeholders—MDAs, port terminal operators, energy providers, transport unions, and investors—to join us in executing this transformation,” Sunmola said.
He equally maintained that for 24-hour port operations to be successful, the labour unions have a strategic role to get their workers available to work night hours even as adequate increment in remuneration should also be provided.
Earlier, the Chairman of the occasion and Head of Research at Sea Empowerment Research Centre (SEREC), Dr. Eugene Nweke, noted the fragmented attempts of several port operators and regulators to have digitalized processes.
Nweke, however, argued that there is a need to harmonize the digital platforms of port service providers and regulatory agencies in a single window that enables expedited ports operations.
“There must be the right policy framework that allows 24-hour operations of ports, especially for service providers whose activities are essential in the logistics value-chain,” the veteran freight forwarder said.
Also speaking, Port Manager of Apapa Port, Mr. Adebowale Lawal, observed that during public holidays and festive seasons, Nigerian seaports are characterised by a lull in activities as stakeholders are yet to fully adopt the concept of 24-hour port operations.
He stated that NPA has fully automated its processes, even as he disclosed that certain aspects of the Authority’s services can be hindered by the inability to conclude some bank payments outside banking hours.
Meanwhile, the General Manager of Trade Modernisation Project (TMP), Ahmed Ogunsola, stressed the need for an independent regulator to check the performance of various partners in the agreement such as Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) and concessions.
Ogunsola recommended the introduction of a new regime for cargo inspection with state-of-the-art scanners with artificial intelligence, especially fast scanners with the ability to handle over 200 containers per hour.
While stating that the TMP, as IT Consultants to Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), is expected to provide 67 modern scanners to expedite cargo examination at ports, he confirmed that only 5 have been acquired.
In his remarks, the President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) Mr. Lucky Amiwero, called for more trainings for freight forwarders, officials of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and terminal operators on activities that speed up port operations.
Amiwero, however, warned that the federal government is making a grave mistake by utilising the National Single Window as a revenue generation tool instead of an initiative for trade facilitation that supports 24-hour port operations.
In his welcome address, the Publisher of JournalNG, Mr. Ismail Aniemu, expressed optimism that Nigeria could attain the degree of automation and port efficiency characterized by leading ports.
Aniemu encouraged industry players to be united in the nation’s bid to attain 24hour operations at seaports, even as he highlighted the need for security, lighting and infrastructure that supports nighttime operations.
The 5-hour summit attracted several maritime stakeholders including frontline regulators like; Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), private Port Operators under the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC), Freight Forwarders, academicians, Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Webb Fontaine, Lekki Port, among others.
