Protests slow down cargo clearance at Tincan Island, Apapa ports

Cargo clearance activities at Tincan Island and Apapa ports in Lagos were slowed down due to ongoing protests in the country.

According to NAN, a visit to these ports on Friday revealed a minimal presence of clearing agents, resulting in reduced cargo clearance operations.

Usman Abubakar, public relations officer of Apapa customs command, confirmed the low turnout and attributed it to the ongoing protests.

He said although operations improved slightly compared to Thursday when the protests began, they were still not back to normal.

Abubakar urged port users to speed up cargo clearance to make room for incoming vessels.

Tony Ibe, a freight forwarder at Tincan Island port, said many agents avoided the port on Thursday due to concerns about access restrictions caused by the protests.

Tochukwu Atuegwe, owner of Praise God clearing agents, confirmed a better turnout on Friday and urged agents to resume normal operations on Monday.

He said customs officers and terminal operators are available to clear cargo from the ports.

Adepoju Gbojubade, another clearing agent at Apapa port, said cargo clearance was swift because of the lower number of agents.

He said the situation is gradually stabilising as port authorities and stakeholders collaborate to resume full operations and clear the backlog of cargo.

The nationwide protests over Nigeria’s soaring cost of living and economic hardship began on August 1.

The protests have led to commercial banks and other companies shutting operations.

Those calling for the protests are demanding a reverse of some policies implemented by President Bola Tinubu believed to have engendered hardship in the country.