The Port and Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL), a Concessionaire in Port Harcourt Wharf has called on both Federal Government and stakeholders in the Maritime Industry to patronize the port, as it is done in other ports.
Speaking in a chat with journalists in Port Harcourt, the Public Relations Officer (PRO) of the company, Mr. Joe Ogudu said that the Port Harcourt port needs to be equally patronized, just as the Lagos ports, pointing out that, the disparity in patronage does not encourage competitive business.
According to him, “We pay the same amount with Lagos ports by virtue of the Bureau for Public Enterprises (BPE) agreement, yet our charges here in Port Harcourt is low”.
The PRO also explained that his company charge as low as N8 on cargo for the first five days after berthing where as the charges are higher in Lagos Ports, yet, they pay the same amount to BPE on the concession agreement.
He said they are doing everything possible to return Port Harcourt Port to general cargo/container cargo operation, which has began to yield result with the berthing of the first container vessel at the port recently.
The image maker of PTOL also stated that his company has invested so much money on infrastructure that will promote business at the wharf beyond their expectation as concessionaire, unlike any other operator, pointing out that, the only encouragement they need to do more is on the area of patronage.
He urged Federal Government and relevant authorities charged with the responsibilities of organizing the maritime business without delay to introduce policies that will encourage port users to patronize Port Harcourt port in their business adding that, this will create a balance in operations across the country.