The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Port Harcourt port complex has absolved self from the inconclusive return of container cargo operations to Port Harcourt Wharf, by one of the Port’s Concessionaire; the ports and Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL).

Speaking while responding to questions from The Tide on the issue the Public Relations Officer of the Port, Mrs. Berbra Annchukwu said that it was not true that NPA was working against the efforts of PTOL.

“As Landlord, the NPA has tried its best in ensuring that it reached those it can, even to the extent  of making recommendations to some importers and shipping companies that sought our counsel. We have also accompanied PTOL to some places on their request to do so, and why would people think or say that NPA is responsible for whatever be the outcome of events,” she stated.

The port PRO also said that what her organisation would not do is to begin to tell the concessionaire what to do, since they are independent and operate as a company of their own, adding that NPA will not interfere with policies and programmes of a Limited Liability Company like PTOL.

She however, pointed out that the idea and all the efforts being made by PTOL in returning to container cargo is a very good one, which will boost the operations of the port, and benefit everybody, but quickly stated that most of the structures at Port Harcourt port are old and may not be capable of handling the expected volume of Cargo, which some shipping companies might be uncomfortable with.

It would be recalled that the PTOL in the past three years had made several efforts to return the port to container operation and this it has done by reconstructing the berths and procuring cargo handling equipments.

Corlins Walter