Shippers Hail Arrival Of Jumbo Vessels At Onne Port

The Shippers Association
of Nigeria has lauded the Federal Government efforts over the arrival of big vessels at the Onne Port in Rivers State.
The president of the association Rev. Jonathan Nicol, who made the commendation while chatting with newsmen on his visit to Rivers State, stated that the calling of the West African  Maximum (WAFMAX) vessels would boost the Turn Around Time of Cargoes Ships.
Nicol said that the capacity of the ship was 4500 twenty Foot Equivalent Unit (TEU), adding that this was a big success for the president Goodluck Jonathan administration.
He said that if the government expanded the Lagos port and allowed the shippers to operate without unnecessary  barriers, there would be a drastic improvement in revenue generation.
The shippers president maintained that there was an urgent need for a deep sea port, to facilitate the importation of goods, stressing that if other ports are developed, it will create a lot of job opportunities for the unemployed people in the country.
“Government should presently reduce duty on second-hand goods, until it is able to build the economy to phase out these items. Modern markets for the second-hand items dealers should be built”, Nicol stated.
He said that there was the need to also improve on the country’s industrial system by proving sufficient and stable power supply.
The shippers boss, however, regretted that insufficient power supply had been affecting the industries and that it has made these industries to be producing low quality products.

Corlins Walter