By Olubunmi ISOKPEHI, Lagos
The National President, Nigeria Institute of Shipping(NIS), Capt. Anthony Onoharigho, has said, ” The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) should invoke laws that would ensure that empty containers are discharged from the Ports.”
He disclosed this information in Lagos. Onoharigho Opined, ” The measure would reduce the nuisance caused by empty containers that flooded the Lagos Ports.”
Speaking further, he asserted, ” These containers are meant for individuals who are shippers. The vessels that bring them, come in with goods and are supposed to take them back with goods.”
Adding, “But ,if there are no goods to carry the containers should be removed from the Ports immediately so, as not to constitute nuisance.”
He continued, ” The NPA had a constitutional way to handling cargo with the understanding, arrangement and agreement between them and Ports Terminal Operators .”
His words: ” They can also invoke that part of the law to discharge the containers from the Ports.”
He pointed out that there were also other alternative means of removing the containers, if owners did not want to do so.”
Adding, ” This containers could be removed by auctioning, giving out to individuals who wished to make use of them or any other means government deemed fit.”
Onoharigho posited, ” This issue of empty containers has been on for a long time and the Shippers Council and the NPA are responsible for goods and containers transit from one place to another.”
Adding, ” There is a stacking place in Apapa and if individuals ship owners who export cargoes want to get a stacking place of their own, they can do that in Apapa.”
Recall that in November 2019, the Presidential Task Team (PTT) on the Restoration of Law and Order in Apapa called on the Federal Government to declare a national emergency on empty containers handling at the Lagos Ports.
