Importers resort to Cotonou port

... as cost of cargo clearance in Lagos hits 483% increase

Patronage of ports in neighbouring countries, especially the Port of Cotonou in Benin Republic, has been rising as more importers have found succour there due to the difficulties in evacuating goods from Lagos ports.

This is coming as the cost of evacuating containers from Apapa and Tin Can Island ports shot up by over 483 percent. From an average of N120,000 for transporting containers, the cost has risen to more than N700,000 per twenty feet equivalent unit, TEU, following the collapse of the access roads to Lagos ports.

According to some importers more importers will dump Lagos ports in preference to neighbouring countries’ ports. “With the uncertainty in bringing cargo through the Apapa Ports, the importers might be compelled to use neighboring country’s ports to ship in their cargoes”, Mr. Jude Okeke, an importer and also the leader of the

Association of Progressive Traders (ATP), Trade Fair Complex, said. According to him, the situation will keep on affecting the prices of goods in the market, which will keep increasing. He further stated that the situation was worsening despite all the promises and statements of the government on addressing the

problems.

Another importer, Mr. Emeka Amadi, said that, “Apapa road had defied all manner of solutions. Despite the directives few weeks ago by the Vice President, Yemi Osiabnjo, the container drivers have defiled all odds and blocked every available space.” However, the importers urged the Federal Government to intervene and quickly develop other sea ports in the country to ease the Apapa and Tin-Can ports.