… laments Nigeria’s low export status
The Customs Area Controller, KLT Command, Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), Comptroller Timi Bomodi, has disclosed that the Command is underutilised as it functions below 10 per cent of its capacity at any point in time.
This was just as he lamented the nation’s low rank in export despite that Nigeria is endowed with products and produce that are in high demand outside its shores.
Bomodi expressed these in an interaction with the newly elected executive officers of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), when the later paid him a courtesy visit in his office in Apapa, Lagos.
He stated that the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) is capable of handling 4000 TEUs but functions lower than 10 per cent of its full capacity as a result of underutilisation of its potentials. “We’re talking about underutilised asset,” he said.
Bomodi noted that the KLT offers more opportunities in terms of space, proximity and access to the port for the facilitation of export and import in and out of the seaports in Lagos.
He added that the KLT is the most strategic port in Lagos taking into account the crucial role of helping to decongest the ports by providing space in the heyday of cargo congestion.
According to him, they had made contact with the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders on the need to move cargo into the terminal.
The Comptroller pointed out that KLT if properly utilised would boost revenue generation from NCS.
He said: “KLT is the most strategic port in congestion, KLT functioned as a buoy for the trapped cargo. KLT has a lot of underutilised space and offers more access for cargo to come in and go out of the ports.
“KLT is functioning less than 10 per cent of its capacity of 4000 TEUs. It is not good the underutilisation of such a vital national asset which could play a crucial role in promotion of export in the country.
“We have been telling NPA and terminal operators that we need to move cargo to the port. Shipping companies will see wisdom bringing their cargo here.
“It makes a lot of economic and social sense and Nigeria as a whole would enjoy this.
“Especially now that the country needs increased revenue KLT has that capacity to offer increased revenue from Customs”
Bomodi also maintained that the port has the capacity and facilities to handle barges that bring containers from Tincan and is profitable for terminal operators.
Continuing, he regretted that importers and exporters face a lot of challenges because of infrastructure decay in and around the ports.
He noted that the export potentials of Nigeria are huge but that the information/data, internal logistics system, payment platforms, standards and other infrastructure needed to sustain export were lacking.
“For export to thrive, Nigerians need information on goods to export. But there is lack of information; internal logistics system is not efficient.
“Payment platforms are not in existence. Export potentials are huge in Nigeria but where are the infrastructure to support it?” asked Bomodi.
He congratulated MARAN on the success of its election, stating that MARAN members have displayed high level of integrity in their reports.
President of MARAN, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, in his remarks earlier said the purpose of the visit was to intimate the Controller on the activities of the association and synergy with the command to boost its operations.