Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Customs Area Comptroller (CAC), Tin Can Island Port (TCIP), Apapa, Lagos, Comptroller Dera Nnadi has listed the factors that have been hindering night operations at Nigeria’s second busiest port.
Though he agreed that the night operation initiative was an attempt to increase productivity, he however averred that the concerns of port users must be adequately addressed in order to make a success of it.
Nnadi who stated this during his visit to the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) International Press Center in Apapa, Lagos recently, noted that night operation in TCIP was slowed down due to security and logistical challenges.
The Customs Chief explained that the move to begin night operations at the port was driven by necessity but said many factors affected the operations.
His words: “Last year was an election year which significantly impacted our operations. This year, we needed a different approach to tackle ongoing issues, particularly security concerns.”
Nnadi averred that the poor state of the port access road had hindered efficient movement for nearly two decades.
According to the CAC, for about a decade, the port access road has been almost impassable, making movements across the corridors of the port extremely difficult. Stakeholders became vulnerable to attacks during their commute. People driving to and from work faced constant threats.
Continuing, he said: “I proposed reviving the movement of goods through the waterways to alleviate road congestion. While we saw some success, the port remained congested.”
He stated that upon his return as the CAC, he observed that congestion issues persisted, undermining service delivery and operational efficiency.
“With my colleague, Mr. Sylvester Egede who is the Port Manager, Tin Can Port, we engaged in multiple meetings with our management and received crucial support from the Nigerian Police. Efforts to create public awareness about the dire state of the port access road were initiated. I personally made calls and encouraged media coverage to highlight the need to decongest this road. The media played a crucial role in raising awareness about the issue”, he added.
According to the CAC, these collaborative efforts eventually led to a significant breakthrough. The road was finally cleared. We celebrated this achievement with our stakeholders who were now assured of a safer commute. To capitalize on this development, the port extended its operational hours. We began by scanning containers overnight, a move that was well-received by stakeholders. We then expanded these operations to include physical examinations and other services.
Giving an insight into how to make the night operation succeed, he underscored the importance of infrastructure and security in sustaining night operations.
“To make night operations viable, we need to light up the port and its corridors and ensure robust security measures. These steps are essential to maintaining the efficiency and safety of our operations”, he said.
The comptroller further provided clarity on the slow pace of night operations, emphasizing them as a strategic response to long-standing challenges rather than a temporary measure.
