By Reps To Investigate Activities At Ikorodu Lighter Terminal, Other Ports In Nigeria
The House of Representatives has mandated its House Committees on Ports, Harbours and Waterways, Customs and Legislative Compliance to investigate activities at the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and other ports in the country with a vision to make them efficient and report back to the House in six weeks for further legislative action.
The call was as a result of a motion, ”Need to address the Under-Utilization of Ikorodu Lighter Terminal and Make It an Export Gateway” sponsored by Honourable Babajimi Benson, member representing Ikorodu Federal Constituency at the Green Chamber.
Debating the motion, Hon Benson stated that the Ikorodu Terminal with two large warehouses adjudged to be one of the largest in the country, is one of the three lighter terminals constructed by the Nigerian Ports Authority to decongest major Ports in Nigeria particularly the Apapa and Tin Can Island Ports in Lagos State and he is surprised the multi-billion Naira Federal Government investment is near moribund and operating below capacity thus contributing nothing significant to Nigeria’s economy.
He noted that with the economic situation in the country, “expanding the capacity of the Ikorodu Terminal to be an export gateway and putting its facilities to maximum use will open up the economy by increasing Nigeria’s non-oil export volume, create jobs, decongest other ports in Lagos State and further earn foreign exchange for the country.”
Honourable Nicholas Osai Osai, representing Ndokwa East, Ndokwa West and Ukwuani, in his contribution to the motion noted that the economy of Singapore strives on Maritime activities and that when the Ikorodu Terminal is revived, it will increase the job opportunities in the country.
“Our basic concern is good governance and what is good governance? Job opportunities to the youths,” he averred.
Commenting on the Motion on the floor of the House, the Leader of the House of Representatives, Honourable Femi Gbajabiamila, representing Surulere Federal Constituency, said the House should make provisions for dredging the Ikorodu Terminal and upgrade it to a heavy terminal in the 2018 budget still under consideration by the National Assembly.
While supporting the motion, Honourable Jagaba Adams Jagaba, representing Kachia and Kagarko, observed that as clearly stated by the motion, the major challenge with Ports in Nigeria is congestion.
“There is no reason to spend billions to construct light terminals yet we are under-utilizing it.” He observed further that it is easier to clear goods in neigbouring countries than in Nigeria; he thus noted that by activating the lighter terminals in Nigeria, it will help to boost not only the economy of Lagos State but that of the nation as a whole.
The Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Honourable Yusuf Lasun and other honourable also contributed to the motion.
