Business
Frieght Forwarders Accuse APMT Of Fraud
Despite AP Moller Terminal’s claims of investing over N100 billion in the Apapa port, the foreign investor has been accused by port operators of lack of operational or functional equipment, fraudulence, high handedness and in efficiency.
The Terminal also has been accused of causing congestion for lack of services, selfishness and greed.
According to stakeholders operating in Apapa, AP Moller has refused to transfer containers to the over 10 Bonded terminals attached to the Apapa port command, causing congestion at the port.
Consequently, some ships were diverted to the Tincan Island port and Kirikiri lighter Terminal, additional cost, according to importers and agents.
AP Moller is also accused of delaying clearing time, two weeks or more to locate containers, another two weeks to book for examination, and another two weeks to position containers for examinations of the stacked containers.
An agent who confided in The Tide said AP Moller “has been feeding Nigerians with lies on its activities at the port,” adding that the incessant breakdown of its equipments had been the bane of progress and investment in the port.
Another agent, simply identify as Nwachukwu, said his containers have been at the port for over one month, saying out that,” you book for positioning of container for two weeks, “examination for another two weeks, if you are lucky, your container may leave within one month or thereafter”.
Nwachukwu noted that “for over a month now, AP Mollers inefficiency to position my container has cost me an extra cost of over N300,000:00 demurrage.” for a cause that is responsible by AP Moller.
Meanwhile, the minister of Transport Alhaji Yusuf Sulaiman has inaugurated a committee to look into the various allegations in the ports, while AP Moller has been directed to relocate its city office to the port or face sanction.
It would be recalled that AP Moller has always been in the news over lack of services since it took over the port three years ago. The port was concessioned to the company in 2006 for a 25 year period.
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.