Bad ports access roads fueling high haulage cost — Oyetola

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has said that dilapidated access roads leading to the nation’s seaports are making importers and exporters experience high transportation costs, prolonged transit times and heightened risk of accidents.

The minister, who disclosed this during his visit to the Minister of Works, Engr. David Umahi, on Tuesday, listed 15 roads that require urgent attention.

According to the minister, dilapidated port roads cumulatively impede national economic growth, discourage foreign investment, and hinder the nation’s international trade competencies.

He stated further that access roads leading to the ports in Nigeria play a pivotal role in the efficiency of the ports and, therefore, appealed to the minister of Works to assist in undertaking an urgent comprehensive repair and maintenance programme for all dilapidated roads leading to ports in the country.

The roads cut across the Lagos Port complex, Tincan Island Port, Calabar New Port, Delta Port and Onne Port. Some of the access roads are 1.6km dual carriage road within the Lagos Port Complex, 3km Tincan Island access road, 15.3km Eleme Junction -Trailer Park Junction Dual Carriageway at Onne Port and 3.1km FLT-FOT Roundabout Single Carriageway, also at Onne Port.

The works minister appreciated Oyetola and commended him for taking the trouble to visit his office with the request. He promised to take the matter up without any further delay as he agreed with Oyetola that the fixing of the listed access roads would increase port efficiency and aid the country’s economic growth.

To demonstrate commitment to his pledge, the works minister immediately requested his counterpart to nominate a representative who would be meeting with one of the directors in the Ministry of Works on Wednesday to devise means of carrying out the task at hand.