For the various seaports in
the Eastern Zone, especially those in Port Harcourt and Onne to compete favourably with those in the West, the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) should ensure effective monitoring of the activities of the concessionaires.
The Chief Executive Officer of  Obitex Nigeria Limited, Eze Obi Nwachukwu, made the assertion in a chat with The Tide correspondent in Port Harcourt yesterday.
Nwachukwu a Port Harcourt-based freight forwarder said the management of NPA has a lot to do as they are vested with the smooth running of the ports by ensuring that business booms at the ports and not to lose sight of their basic functions.
He noted that the agreement between the NPA and the port concessionaires in 2006 should be reviewed and the ports given facelifts in line with global best practice in order to attract more business.
According to him, since the concession, there is no improvement at the ports. He called for proactive steps towards ensuring improved port services to benefit most Eastern importers who patronize the Western Ports.
The maritime expert opined that although there is politics and favouritism in the concessionaire exercise, hence it is difficult for close marking, while it was also alleged that the government has been short-changed following some lapses in the sector.
Nwachukwu further noted that the concessionaires are supposed to give the ports facelifts, but the reverse has been the case, and that had made most importers to patronize the Western Ports where there are improved and international standard of cargo clearance.
He stressed that the concessionaires should be made to live up to their billings to made the Ports attractive for customers.
The company boss however gave kudos to the Intels Nig Ltd for their efforts in improving facilities at the Onne Ports, which according to him facilitated the arrival of one of the world’s biggest cargo vessels in the Port recently, and enjoined them to keep up the tempo as to compete with those in the West.
He, however, called on the authorities to ginger the concessionaires to give the Ports a facelift to attract more business.

The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in-charge of Eastern Ports, Mrs Kalafite Helen Adeyemi (centre), flanked by the former Onne Area II Controller of Customs, Hamzat Gunmi (right) with other officers during her visit to the port, recently.