Export cargoes will not be allowed access into the Lagos ports for two weeks, the Managing Director of Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman has announced.

Speaking in an interview on Radio Now 95.3 FM, Hadiza said the new directive which became necessary to preventing parking on port access roads, is effective from Monday March 22.

She said;

“All export cargoes for two weeks will not be allowed access into the port.

“We have a backlog of over 600 trucks that have approached the port coming out of their truck parks and are currently in that location within the port corridors, within the Lilypond. So we are suspending all export cargoes.”

The NPA MD also disclosed that the suspension will enable consultations with export cargo stakeholders and the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on harmonising the procedures required for export.

Hadiza further stated that some exporters contribute to traffic gridlock by approaching the ports without completing their documentation.

She added;

“This has been a challenge for us, the documentation, in terms of readiness of the terminal operators to receive them, some of the certifications they require from supervisory agencies based on the type of exports that they carry.

“They also have several custom certifications and CBN documents that they need to complete.

“Recognising that as a problem, we have invited the export promotion council to join us this week to meet with the large exporters to make them understand the procedures as it relates to documentation.

“If any of your documents are not ready, yyou must remain within your location. Actually, you shouldn’t even start your journey to the ports.”