…Says Authority should decongest ports within two-week lockdown!***

Chairman, Lagos State Shippers Association, Jonathan Nicol commended the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for all the proactive measures it has adopted, even as he tasked the Authority to decongest the port of containers, within two weeks.

The Ports Authority has recently suspended demurrage payment with effect from March 23rd and donated a 130 room fully furnished Agura Hotel to NCDC, as an Isolation centre, amongst other measures. It would also keep the ports f Lagos, particularly Apapa and Tin Can Island open and running despite the lockdown.

“The Nigerian Ports Authority has been proactive in recent times and we commend them for their efforts”, the Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS) Boss, told the Maritime First.

“The Coronavirus virus is the beginning of self-control”, Jonathan Nicol stated further, stressing that the two weeks partial lockdown period should help to decongest the ports and eliminate the protracted Apapa traffic jam.

Also read:  COVID-19 Lockdown: NPA Continues Operations at the Ports

He called for meticulous supervision of evacuation of empty Containers, adding that the feat could be easily achieved if the goal is massively pursued.

“We hope the Apapa traffic will disappear after the 2 weeks lockdown. The Federal Government Agencies should assist the Nigerian Ports Authority to achieve this objective.

“While the Port Health Department of the Federal Ministry of Health and the Federal Ministry of Transportation should synergize, to curtail the dreaded Coronavirus, within the trading Port complexes”, he further explained.