GOODNEWS: IKORODU PORT TERMINAL SET TO RESUME CARGO OPERATIONS

There is high hopes that the once moribund Nigerian Ports Authority, Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, which has not been operating for over a decade now may begin to witness renewed business activities soon.

This revelation is contained in a statement of commendation made by the Maritime stakeholders in Lagos State to the Nigerian Ports Authority for its readiness to once again commence transfer of overtime cargoes to Ikorodu Terminal.

Speaking on the new development in Lagos, Chairman, Ikorodu Chapter of the National Association of Government- Approved Freight Forwarders David Mufutua, revealed that the Association has made efforts by writing several letters to agencies who should prosecute the directive, adding that it is heart-warming for the association to know that the agency has stated its readiness to do something in that direction. He added that, the terminal meant to receive overtime cargoes from the Lagos Port will create rooms for fresh cargoes to be stacked in order to decongest the seaports.

The Chairman of NAGAFF, Ikorodu Chapter, further revealed that the Association had to seek the intervention of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the industry regulator, to prevail on the NPA to see reasons to transfer the cargoes to Ikorodu Terminal, noting that they are happy their efforts has yielded fruits.

Also speaking on the recent achievement, Secretary of NAGAFF, in Ikorodu, Obinna Okafor, disclosed that there were thousands of overtime cargoes littering the Ports, non- transfer of which has denied those whose such measure was meant to favour as soft landing. He added that the purpose of Ikorodu Terminal was to offer those who could not clear their cargoes a window of opportunity to clear their goods with concession lower than the normal Port charges.

The measure according to stakeholders will revive business activities that have almost gone into extinction at the Ikorodu Terminal, thereby boosting economic activities of the division.