The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria

The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN), has commended the Federal Government for its foresight in concessioning terminal operations at the nation’s seaports saying the move has made Nigerian ports a model for countries like Greece, Ivory Coast, Liberia, and Ghana

This is even as the Chairman of the association, Princess Vicky Haastrup, urged government to adopt the template across other sectors of the economy.

“This is a worthy model, which has not only improved operations at our ports, but has also attracted commendation from within and outside the country.

“After Nigeria’s port concession, we now have countries like Ivory Coast, Liberia, Ghana and even Greece adopted our model. The Liberians and Ghanaians sent delegations to understudy our port concession model to develop theirs.

“Recently, the Greek Government concessioned the Thessaloniki Port, which is one of its most important public infrastructure. This is a clear indication of our success as a nation in building models worthy of emulation by others.”

She also said that the Federal Government’s consideration for adopting the concession model for the railway and aviation sectors was derived from the success of port concession.

“I have implicit confidence in the present government’s ability and commitment to the improvement of public infrastructure in the country and one is delighted to note that concessioning has become the model being adopted for both the railway and aviation sector reforms,” she said,

The STOAN chairman also commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for launching a Safety, Information, Operation and Communication Centre to enhance 24-hours operation at the port.

“The commissioning of this centre and the recent launch of four new tugboats by NPA will deepen reforms at the port. It will complement the efforts of terminal operators to make our ports competitive,” she said.

Before terminal operations were concessioned in 2006, Nigerian ports faced major challenges which placed them among the most inefficient in the world. Before concession, the average waiting time for ships before berthing was 21 days, vessel turnaround time was seven days while dwell time for cargo was as high as 45 days.

As a result of the challenges, the Federal Government of Nigeria in 2006, concessioned cargo handling operations at the ports to 25 terminals operators under various lease agreements raging from 15 to 25 years.

Click here to Reply or Forward