Council Wants Homogenous Cargoes In Eastern Ports

The Port Consultative Council (PCC) has advised the Federal Government to divert homogenous cargoes including imported second-hand vehicles to ports in the eastern part of the country.

The Chairman of the council, Mr Kunle Folarin, told our correspondent recently  in Lagos that the diversion would boost activities in ports in the eastern part of the country.

“Homogenous cargoes like second-hand cars, bagged fertilisers, rice and sugar, not belonging to many consignees can be taken to the eastern ports.

“Many years ago, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) diverted second- hand car carrier vessels to Calabar port and it was the greatest boom era ever experienced in Calabar,’’ Folarin said.

Folarin said that the era provided jobs for vulcanisers, battery charges, clearing and shipping agents and other professionals in the Calabar metropolis.

The PCC chairman also suggested that there should be rebates or incentives to ships and terminal operators to encourage importers.

Folarin said that the establishment of rail link to the eastern ports would also be a major break-through.

“It will make it easier to evacuate cargoes than hauling the cargoes by roads from Lagos to the cities in the east.

“If multi-modal transport is available in the east, then it will be an incentive for importers to patronise the eastern ports,’’ he said.

According to him, the cost of hauling cargoes to the cities where they are supposed to be of commercial value will be cheaper and easier.

Folarin urged the government to quickly accelerate the resuscitation of the railway system.

He said that at least 40 per cent of cargoes coming into the country were owned by importers based in the eastern part of the country

Folarin said that Port Harcourt and Onne ports would therefore be their preferred ports.

“The Calabar port and to a little extent, the Warri port, should serve as back-up ports for specialised cargoes or for export cargoes like produce, coal and other minerals,’’ he said.