Chief Reginald Amadi is a registered freight forwarder, Managing Director, AMAREG Group of Companies as well as the PRO, Association of Nigeria Licensed Custom Agents (ANLCA), Warri Branch. In this interview with CLIFFSIMEON AKALONU, the ANLCA spokesman said the nation’s sea and dry ports infrastructure scattered nationwide has the potential to decongest Lagos is they are put to use.
Excerpts:
What are the challenges from Warri Port?
The challenge in Warri port is an industrial politics designed by the Federal Government and stakeholders to always kill Warri and other ports around Nigeria, because they know that if Warri picks it will kill most of the activities in Lagos because it is centralized for business and it connects to so many states in Nigeria and Africa. Secondly, these ports in the south south and south eastern parts of Nigeria can also help in the cost of transaction for example, I have cleared more than four 40ft containers in Lagos and lost my container deposit due to longer time of about a week to take delivery of the containers and return empty containers.
Why are the other ports not as functional as the ones in Lagos or is the NPA not doing enough to revive other sea ports within the nation other than Lagos?
I would have said it is rude for someone to build a sea port that would have fetched him money in return he abandoned it. Warri port is bigger than Tincan and Apapa ports. Warri has two ports and if merged together is bigger than the ports in Lagos, so why wouldn’t they concentrate and give something better
If more ports are made functional, you will see the wide spread of job opportunities.
Sir, why are we still operating manually in our port operations?
The truth is that most leaders has voted much money for automation but I want to tell you that physical examination must be done.
Can you compare Warri and Lagos ports?
Warri ports are very unique place for clearing cargoes and I can quote it anywhere. The only difference is that Lagos is bombarded just because it the Africa’s trade hub.
What is Delta State government doing to sustain her ports?
I can tell you that the Delta State government is not doing enough to resuscitate the speedy use and patronization of Warri ports. Though they are supporting but their support is on the lips and not practical. I have written letters to them on the need to partner with Nigerian Ports Authority.
As a registered freight forwarder and public relation officer of ANLCA Warri Branch,what is your take on the presidential on the ease of doing business in our ports?
Federal government should distribute the landing of cargoes to different ports like warri and Port Harcourt to ease off Lagos.
There is no need building a dry port in Kaduna when cargoes lands at the seaport in Lagos, so, how long will it take to offload and take back to Kaduna through train.
What is our expectations for 2020?
We expect more turn around in this year and as well accomplish most things we couldn’t achieve last year. We also expect that the Federal Government and its agencies will sit up to the fact that businesses in Nigeria must be catered for and should not be one sided when making business decisions in the country. We also expect more business, public enlightenment, trainings and high patronage.
What is the level of patronage sir?
The level of patronage is encouraging and I pray for more this year 2020.
What will be your words of advise to your customers?
My advise is that everyone should maintain where he or she is and remain focused to God who controls what we do. Do your best and leave the rest for God.