The Nigerian Ports Authority ( NPA ) has commenced the exportation of agricultural products through the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal as part of measures to decongest the Lagos sea ports and boost the economy.
The movement of export cargoes from Ikorudu terminal to Apapa sea ports, NPA said, would enable Nigerians to maximize the facilities at the moribund terminal.
Speaking during the official flag off of using barges to veery over 31 containers laden with agricultural produce from Ikorodu to Apapa port yesterday, NPAโs Managing Director Ms Hadiza Bala Usman said her agency has the mandate to ensure effective utilisation of the Ikorodu terminal for export.
President Muhammadu Buhari administration, she said, is committed to encourage export promotion through the terminal while NPA would ensure adherence to occupational, health and safety as panacea to efficient port services in line with international best practices.
She urged Nigerians to come forward and avail themselves of the emerging opportunities in the agricultural export market to boost for foreign exchange earnings and to strategically position the country on the global business community
Exporters at the forum said they were happy that a major infrastructure at the Ikorodu which has been idle for decades came alive again with productive economic initiative of the current managing director of NPA.
One of the exporters, Mr Ken Adeyanju said, the rejection of Nigerian commodity and produce at the international market would soon be a thing of the past with the current efforts of the Federal Government through the NPA.
