Special report: It takes over N1m to transport a container within Lagos

A Financial Time of  London report titled ‘Nigeria’s port crisis’ has revealed that transporting a container cargo from Apapa seaport in to any part of Lagos mainland, a 20km trip, costs about $4,000(over N1.5 million).

This is almost same amount to ship a 40ft container from Shanghai China to Lagos Nigeria according to the Shanghai Containerised Freight Data index.

The report noted that the difficulty has make the output nearly impossible to meet the demands of Nigeria’s population which has tripled overtime.

Nigeria port with idle containers Credit: shipperng Source: UGC

Muda Yusuf, former Director-General of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) told the FT that the government has been talking about the ease of doing business but if there’s one sector we have not felt the government’s effort, it’s in the ports where practically nothing has changed.

Also Kunle Falerin, Chairman of the Nigerian Ports Consultative Council on his part attributed the outrageous intrastate fares to economic slump caused by COVID-19 pandemic, while speaking with the outlet.

He listed other contributing factors to include overcrowding or port congestion, ageing infrastructure, poor rail network and lack of automated procedures.

A senior executive at a logistics company was also quoted by Financial Times that importers have devised a means to bypass the delay by paying spot prices to fleet operators who charge about N1.5 million to transport a 40ft container from Tin Can to warehouses on the Lagos mainland.

These sharp witted importers would rather pay the high fares than risk their cargoes sitting idly at the coast, waiting to be allowed entry to the docks while accruing exorbitant storage charges.

The senior executive added:

"These charges influence the outrageous hike in prices of imported goods which deepens the suffering of the common man, the consumer who purchases the products."

In a recent interview Akinwumi Adesina, president, African Development Bank (AfDB) called on decongestion of Nigeria seaport.

He said:

“the leading ports for West Africa are in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, and the Benin Republic. All these countries have modernised their port management systems, leaving Nigeria far behind”

“Government must start with cleaning up administrative bottlenecks, most of which are unnecessary with multiple government agencies at the ports, high transaction costs or even plain extortions from illegal taxes, which do not go into the coffers of the government.”

Some newspapers had earlier reported that the NCS has been lobbying for the reinstatement of excise duty on soft drinks, which was repealed in 1993.

The return of excise duty, according to Customs service, would result in a large increase in income for the federal government.

But manufacturers, on the other hand, feel it will affect their revenue and lead to an increase in soft drink prices.

Bashir Tofa, MKO Abiola's strongest opponent in 1993 election dies at 93

 The former presidential candidate for the National Republican Convention (NRC) and one of the leading candidates in the 1993 presidential election, Alhaji Bashir Tofa, has died at 93-year-old.

Tofa's family confirmed his death on Monday, January 3, after rumours had spread on social media that the strong politician passed away three days ago.

The confirmation was shared on Monday, January 3, by one of Tofa's daughters who had earlier debunked claims of his father's death on social media three days ago.

However, details of his death are still quite sketchy although sources within the family said Tofa had been ill for some time.

 Tofa contested against late Moshood Abiola popularly known as MKO Abiola in the June 12, 1993 election.

The elder statesman contested under the platform of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC) while MKO Abiola vied for presidency under the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

At the 1993 polls, Tofa who was one of the leading candidates in the elections which until today is considered as freest and fairest election in Nigeria.

Prior to his passing, late Tofa has always been known for being vocal and rendering solutions to challenges facing the country.

Pastor Adeboye, Sanwo-Olu, Tinubu, Fashola, Gbajabiamila, Storm Church For Serious prayer

The general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, Obafemi Hamzat, and Babatunde Raji Fashola were among those who attended the 2022 Lagos state New Year thanksgiving service themed Songs of Thanksgiving.

Some of the activities of the session were prayers offered by Pastor Adeboye and Governor Sanwo-Olu as captured on the latter's Instagram post on Sunday, January 2.

The governor promised Lagosians a lot of projects for 2022 (Photo: jidesanwoolu) Source: Instagram

In what might be termed a prophetic declaration, the Lagos governor said 2022 will witness a milestone achievement, especially in the Lagos rail transportation system.

He disclosed that the 37km Red and 27.5km Blue Line Rail projects are expected to begin commercial operations possibly in 2022.

Added to this, Sanow-Olu assured Lagosians that his administration's vision of establishing the largest Rice Mill in sub-Saharan Africa, and one of the largest in the world "will become a reality this year."

Speaking on other projects in store for the state, the governor revealed:

"Equally, construction work on the 37km 4th Mainland Bridge, which will be a circular link road, and the longest in Africa, and the Opebi-Ojota link bridge will commence this year. There are also a host of other projects that will be completed or advanced this year.

"While we continue to work towards giving everyone in Lagos of their dreams, we would also enjoin them to continue adhering to, and comply strictly with the COVID-19 protocols and guidelines for safety as we go fully into the 4th wave of the pandemic."

Meanwhile, before the year 2022 began, President Muhammadu Buhari sent some crucial messages to Nigerians as to what they should expect from his administration amid the COVID-19 and the insecurity experienced in most parts of the country.

The president saluted and congratulated fellow citizens for their courage to remain strong and resolute through 2021 which has been a most turbulent year.

He said:

"We remain grateful to the Almighty God for yet another Year attained as a country, united by a common destiny and resolute in our determination to overcome the several challenges along the path to build the great and prosperous nation of our dream..."