The Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) says it is reviewing its charges upward by 15 percent, citing a need for competitiveness and infrastructural upgrades.
The Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, made this known during a maritime stakeholders’ meeting held in Lagos on Thursday.
He said it was the first time the Nigeria Ports Authority would be reviewing its rates since 1993.
Dantsoho, represented by Mr Olalekan Badmus, Executive Director, Marine and Operation, said the authority was compelled by the exigency of improving infrastructure and equipment at Nigerian ports.
“The 15 percent upward review, which is to cut across all NPA rates and dues, is premised on the urgent need to address the undesirable reality of aged and weak infrastructure,” Dantsoho said.
“We need to address obsolete equipment and slow port capacity expansion, which has continued to diminish performance and, indeed, competitiveness of Nigerian ports.
“Port authorities depend on revenue from operations to stay alive to their responsibilities, which include construction and maintenance of port infrastructure.
“Other responsibilities are dredging of channels, provision of aids for safe navigation, provision of modern marine crafts for efficient harbour services, automation and digitisation of port transactions, port security, energy efficiency and training and retraining of its employees,” he added.
Terminal operators, bonded terminal operators, and other port users attended the meeting.
