The Port Harcourt port wharf for some time now has experienced draught of rice vessels, inspite of the fact that the port operates on bulk cargo, which rice is a major item for the bulk cargo.

The Tide investigation showed that there had been scarcity of rice vessels that berth the wharf in recent times, unlike in early this year where there was almost a traffic of rice cargo at the wharf.

The scarcity of the rice vessels, The Tide learnt might not be unconnected with the much rainfall noticed in recent times. One of the officers of the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) who spoke with The Tide on the matter noted that for about three months now the wharf has experienced draught of rice vessels.

According to the customs officer, the much rainfall in Port Harcourt might have discouraged importers who might want to use the port, due to the risk associated with loading and off-loading rice.

He explained that fish and cement vessels have been the regular cargoes that berth the wharf during the season, pointing out that there is higher risk in loading and off-loading of rice during rainy period, than fish.

The customs officer explained that it is easier to put back fish into a cold room or repackage it when it is soaked with rain water, than to do so with rice when it is wet. He said the move will result to mutilation and therefore will make the owner to incur much losses than the fish.

Already, the much rainfall in recent times has brought the operations and business activities at the port so low and this has also affected revenue generation.