According to the Nigerian Ports Authority, the federal government plans to build another deep-sea port within the next three to four years. Regarding the recently approved deep-sea port of Badagry, Bello-Koko said proposals have been received for establishing other ports in the country.
However, the NPA chief revealed that in 2023 the agency’s revenue increased by more than 60-70%. Bello-Koko said over the past eight years the agency has successfully seized more shipments destined for neighboring countries.
“This means more freight traffic into the country, more gross domestic profits, and more NPA revenues,” he pointed out. The NPA’s director general explained that he has seen increased activity at the port of Calabar and hopes to ensure that tariffs are leaked to end-users.
Bello-Koko also said it has set up a commission to ensure tariff reductions to encourage importers to use the Calabar port. Meanwhile, Bello-Koko has announced that the NPA has not reviewed port charges in his 30 years, despite rising inflation in the country. According to him, the agency reviewed the tow service only between 2012 and 2014.
He claimed the agency has been using the same rate since 1993. He said the cost of doing business could increase, but not due to the NPA’s tariff rates. Regarding port construction, NPA officials said the situation at Tin Can port is the worst, but all other ports need some degree of rehabilitation.