Harboursandport.com: Lagos - Editor of Vanguard Newspaper, one of Nigeria’s leading national dailies and current President of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Mr. Eze Anaba, said that the perennial traffic gridlock along the Apapa – Oshodi expressway is having serious effect on port operations and clearance of goods from the port.
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| l-r: Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, presenting an award of recognition to Editor of Vanguard Newspaper and Present of the Nigeria Guild of Editors, Eze Anaba while the Comptroller General Of Customs, CGC, Wale Adeniyi watches on. |
The
Vanguard Editor in his good will address at the event with the theme “Customs
Engaging Traditional And New Partners With Purpose,” had complained that the
gridlock along that route has continued to hinder port operations as well as causing
discomfort to operators, motorists and residents.
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| l-r: Editor of Vanguard Newspaper and Present of the Nigeria Guide of Editors, Eze Anaba presenting the award of recognition to the Public Relations Unit of the Nigeria Customs Service. |
He
explained that the lingering gridlock is also taking its tow on the operations
of Customs, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA; terminal operator and others.
In his words, Eze
Anaba said “Secondly, I am happy that the guest of honour, the minister of
Marine and Blue Economy is here. Why I am happy? The revenue of Customs would
have been more than they have recorded. It will be irresponsible of me not to
talk about the traffic situation along the Apapa port and the Oshodi.
“I am sure the
headaches that importers go through getting their goods out of the ports. The
reason I am saying this is because I know for a fact that the minister was a
formidable and distinguish private sector playing before he moved to
government.
“I am sure that
hearing this from me, close quarters; he is going to do something about it.
Looking at me directly is the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports
Authority, NPA who I am sure would have developed more gear hairs because of
the task of clearing the port access road from Oshodi to the ports.
“I do not know how to
describe it, roads are constructed and roads are taken over by tankers because
of the presence of tank farms. Customs cannot do their job because they cannot
move tankers out of the road; importers cannot move their goods from the ports because
the roads are clogged.
“The gridlock is making
clearing of goods more expensive, frustrating importers and frustrating
business people. So honourable minister sir, I am happy you are onboard. Working
with the CG of Customs and the Managing Director of NPA, please help
stakeholders in that sector.
“Let me congratulate
the CG of Customs once again, I am happy to work with him, the media is happy
to work with him and working collectively, Nigeria’s economy will improved,” he
said.
Extolling the
achievements of the Customs boss, Anaba said “Since he came onboard as CG, he
has proved that the media cannot be your enemy. He has proved that working with
the media can lead to operational efficiency and I am going to highlight one or
two things told me by my colleagues who are on the field and some of these
information have not be contradicted.
“One, revenue target
for last year has been exceeded, is a fact. At least in these days of social
media activism, nobody has said Customs lied. Have also been told that the
welfare of officers and men of Customs have also improved, I have been told
that operational efficiency have improved because competent men have been
deploy to competent posting that why we see more arrest, more appearance on
television stations announcing seizures, courtesy of this gentlemen, the CG of
Customs. With continue collaboration, Customs performance will continue to
improve and it will affect the economy,” he noted.
Reacting to his complain, Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola assured stakeholders in the industry that plans are on the way to find a lasting solution to the gridlock along the Apapa-Oshodi expressways.
He
blamed the persistence gridlock along that route to the failure of the
electronic call up system as a result of none compliance of stakeholders to the
rule of engagement of the system.
Adegboyega
noted that discussion with the relevant stakeholders is ongoing and the
solution would be reached soon.
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