Tariff hike: We’ve called PTOL to order — Port Manager
Barth Ndubuwah, Port Harcourt
The recent tariff increase by one of the terminal operators at Rivers Port of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) may not have gone down well with Authority, the landlord of the port.
To that end, NPA said it has been trying to prevail on Port Terminal Operators Limited (PTOL) to reverse the increase and maintain status quo.
Speaking to members of the Maritime Energy Media Practitioners Of Nigeria (MEMPON), Tuesday during a courtesy visit in Port Harcourt,the Port Manager of Rivers Port, Mr Bello Abubakar said PTOL did not consult NPA before the arbitrary tariff increase and as such, they are insisting that PTOL returns to status quo.
The Port Manager who said there was no need for such increase, noted that the PTOL’s action heightened tension at the port.
Abubakar said that they have written several letters to PTOL to reverse the tariff to no avail. He however said that all hope is not lost,as they are still discussing the issue, with the hope to arrive at an amicable settlement.
He thanked the leadership of MEMPON for the visit and assure them of the cooperation of NPA,Rivers Port under his watch.
“Let me thank you for your visit and cooperation in the maritime industry, especially to NPA and other stakeholders in the maritime industry. I want to assure you that as Port Manager, Rivers Port we will continue to cooperate with the media and indeed MEMPON. So continue to play your role as media practitioners and on our part,we will partner with you.
“On the tariff increase by one of our Terminal Operators, PTOL,we have written several letters to them and asked them maintain status quo,but to no avail. We are still talking and are optimistic that the issue will be sorted out. Once again, thank you for coming,” Abubakar said.
Earlier the National President of MEMPON and head of delegation, Amb (Dr) Ralph John had told the Port Manager that they were at his office to know him and identify with his administration at Rivers Port, having been projecting the operations of his predecessors at Rivers Port before now. He assured the Port Manager that his group will sustain the synergy that has existed between NPA and MEMPON.
Adding his voice, the Vice President of MEMPON, Mr Barth Ndubuwah thanked the Port Manager for squeezing out time from his tight schedule to receive them even within the shortest notice. The Vice President assured the Port Manager of their commitment to work with him and his team in the area of information dissemination for maximum productivity.
Highlight of the visit was presentation of a gift item to MEMPON by the Port Manager.
