Apapa Gridlock: Importers want Eastern ports open for Cargoes, talks about hardship.

Some importers on Friday, 10th August have appealed to the Federal Government to open up seaports at  the Eastern flank of the country to reduce stress in Lagos ports.


The importers said that creation of ports in Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri ports for cargo transaction would help reduce traffic at the Apapa Ports.

The traders told newsmen in Lagos that they were experiencing hardships in getting their goods out of the Apapa ports.

Mr Jude Okeke, an importer and also the President, Association of Progressive Traders (APT), Trade Fair Complex, Lagos, said the concentration of cargo import on Apapa ports slows down business.

“Do not be surprised that we will wake up one day and container-laden trucks will overrun the whole of Lagos city with no access roads for commuters. “The Federal Government can do a lot of good to the importing public by opening up the other ports that have been fully utilized over time,’’ Okeke said.

Also, Mrs Vivian Akubueze, the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Kudi Cosmetics, Lagos, said that it was not wise for cargoes laden with goods meant for Eastern Nigeria to berth at the Apapa ports.

Akubueze said that such cargoes with its goods should be routed to the ports in Calabar and Port Harcourt.

“Common  sense ought to tell us that when cargoes transporting goods meant for other parts of the country berth in Lagos, importers will pay additional money to transport their goods to their destinations.

“This will cause tear and wear to the nation’s road networks as well as push the cost of such goods up in the market,’’ Akubueze said.

She said that it had taken her about two weeks to get her goods out of the Apapa ports after  the Nigeria Customs Service had released them.

She, therefore, appealed to the government to come to their aid and halt the rising cost of goods by allowing cargoes to berth in other ports apart from Lagos.