NPA debunks cargo clearance delay allegation
Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The Port Manager (PM), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Onne Port, Rivers State, Mr. Stanley Magaji Titnoe has cleared the air that NPA Onne Port under his watch does clear or handle cargoes, this he said, took after concession of the ports some years ago.
The Port Manager made the clarification Friday, when members of the Maritime, Energy Media Practitioners (MEMPON) led by their National President, Amb (Dr) Ralph John paid him a courtesy visit at Onne. He stressed that as landlord, NPA only ensures that ships are brought into port, thereby creating an enabling environment for business to thrive.
Mr Titnoe also emphasized the significance of the media in the workability of the maritime industry and by extension the society, urging the media to be careful in the discharge of their duty. The Port Manager said the reason is that the media can make or mar the society.
The Port Manager who apologized for having not engaged with the media since he assumed office, attributed it to some circumstances beyond his control.
He, however, assured of partnering with MEMPON henceforth, noting that anything involving publicity is handled by NPA Management.
“Media is essential for the activities of the society, including the maritime industry. The role of government is in paripasu with the media. Though we have not been able to engage with the media for reasons beyond our control, we look forward to working with MEMPON. I therefore direct you to always liase with the Corporate Communication and Strategy Department on issues relating to media, who will advise me accordingly,” the Port Manager said.
“Your pen can make or mar the society, hence there is need for you to be careful in your reportage. Stand by the truth always and the society shall be good for all of us,” he added.
The National President of MEMPON, Amb (Dr) Ralph John had earlier told the Port Manager that his group has been friends to Onne Port from inception and so his leadership wants to consolidate on that relationship.
He congratulated the Port Manager on his appointment and thanked him for the reception, promising that MEMPON under his leadership will continue to be supportive to Onne Port in its activities.
The President used the opportunity to inform the PM that some Customs Agents recently accused the NPA Management in Onne of unnecessarily delaying their cargoes from leaving the port.
Reacting to the allegation, the Port Manager said since NPA concessioned the ports, it has handsed-off cargo handling and that cargo clearance is strictly the statutory duty of Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and NPA does not interfer with that.
He said as landlord of the port, NPA only ensures that ships are brought in, but responsibility of clearing the cargoes solely lies on NCS.
“So NPA has nothing to do with delay of cargoes, in fact we charge demurrage for unnecessary delay of cargoes, to discourage shippers or agents from keeping their cargoes in the port after due clearance. So it is not true that NPA stops any cargo from leaving the port after NCS’ clearance. Our duty is to create enabling environment for business to thrive,”Titnoe explained.
Adding his voice, the Traffic Manager,Onne Port, Prince Zhattau Ganagtim advised journalists to always contact the Corporate Communication and Strategy Department to avail them with the workings of the port.
He said the agents that are complaining are more culpable in the issues that delay the cargoes.
He noted that the Executive Order of the Federal Government provides for a single-widow cargo examination, which he said operators and agents are not complying with.
According to him, Nigerian Shippers Council as Economic Regulator should explain why the Standard Operational Manual is not working.
The Vice President of MEMPON, Mr Barth Ndubuwah also thanked the Port Manager and his team for squeezing out time from their tight schedule to receive his group, assuring them that they shall reciprocate the kind gesture.
