Terminal Operators Accuse FG Of Abandoning Port Roads

Barely a few weeks to the 2019 general elections in the country, the Seaports Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has decried abandonment of the seaport access roads by successive governments in the country.
Speaking at an industry event  recently, Chairman, STOAN, Princess Vicky Haastrup lamented why successive government allowed the port access roads to progressively degenerate until they became impassable.
She expressed dismay that terminal operators are operating under the most harshest business environment in spite of the huge investments they have made towards developing the nation’s seaports following their takeover of the day-to-day running of the terminals as a result of the successful conclusion of the port concession programme over a decade ago.
Haastrup in a statement made available to The Tide yesterday decried the menace of Apapa gridlock which is frustrating operations in the nation seaports.
Princess Haastrup who is also the executive vice chairman of ENL consortium said: “The situation in Apapa particularly as it relates to access to the port is a monumental national disgrace.
According to her, “How can a sector that has such huge potential and that generates billions of naira for government be left to degenerate?
Government she said was looking for oil but we have a sector that has the capacity to give you all the revenue you need, yet the sector is suffering. Why has it not been attended to?”
According the Haastrup,” the large number of tank farms located within Apapa has also compounded the chaotic gridlock while more licenses are still being issued to new tank farm owners.