The refusal by some truckers to use designated truck parks provided by the Nigerian Ports Authority at Onne Port is creating growing concerns for port operations and the surrounding community, while also affecting the smooth evacuation of cargo.
Traffic Manager at Onne Port, Siraj Agbolade, said four truck parks located within and around the port are currently being underused by truckers. He explained that many drivers prefer to park their vehicles along the roads, where they reportedly pay community youths instead of using the facilities provided by the NPA.
According to Agbolade, the truck parks are designed to serve as transition points where vehicles are processed and scheduled to gain access to the port for cargo loading and evacuation through the Electronic Call Up System.
He added that a meeting involving stakeholders operating at the port has been scheduled for this week to examine the situation and work towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges.
The development comes at a time when some transport unions and freight forwarders are threatening to withdraw their services over the condition of roads leading to the port. The groups have called for the rehabilitation of the roads, which they said had become increasingly difficult for truckers and other road users.
Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Onne branch, Ifeanyi Isikaku, also raised concerns over the situation. He warned that continued deterioration of the port access roads could disrupt commercial activities along the Onne Port corridor if urgent action is not taken.
Stakeholders in the maritime sector have also expressed concern over reported accidents involving trucks carrying cargo along the corridor. They said such incidents are resulting in significant financial losses for freight forwarders, importers and transport operators.
The Onne Port corridor remains an important route for the movement of goods within the Eastern maritime economy. However, stakeholders say the poor state of the roads, coupled with indiscriminate parking of trucks, has made movement increasingly difficult for truckers, businesses and residents in the area.
They further noted that delays along the corridor are adding to the cost of doing business, with operators having to contend with demurrage, increased vehicle maintenance expenses, lost business opportunities and, in some cases, damaged consignments.
With pressure mounting from different stakeholders, attention is now focused on the planned meeting and the steps that will be taken to improve traffic management, encourage the use of designated truck parks and address the condition of the roads serving the port.
