Dare Babalola
The Senior Special Assistant on Media to the Delta State Governor, Ossai Ovie Success, has criticised Adekoya Hassan, Senior Special Assistant on Transportation and Logistics to Lagos Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for rejecting the Nigerian Ports Authority’s (NPA) decision to shift operational focus from Lagos ports to the Warri Port Complex.
In a statement on his Facebook page on Monday, Ossai described Hassan’s rejection as “deformity”, asserting that the Lagos aide lacks adequate information about the logistics and benefits of the shift.
“The NPA’s decision to shift operational focus from Lagos ports to the Warri Port Complex is a welcome development — not because I am a Deltan, but because it will support regional economic development and diversification,” Ossai said.
Ossai outlined several advantages of the move, stating it is in Nigeria’s best interest. He emphasized the shift will create jobs in the Warri region, reduce port traffic in Lagos, easing urban congestion and improving residents’ quality of life, enhance port security by dispersing maritime activities potentially curbing smuggling and piracy tied to Lagos congestion, and improve efficiency.
According to Ossai, the Warri/Koko ports are already handling about 45 vessels monthly with a vessel turnaround time of approximately 2.9 days and waiting time under two days, indicating improved efficiency that alleviates pressure on Lagos.
“The move is meant to ease chronic congestion at Lagos, a bottleneck for cargo clearance,” Ossai noted, adding, “It seems like Sanwo-Olu’s aide doesn’t want Lagosians to get that quality of life and traffic relief. He is not concerned about decongesting Lagos, cost efficiency, regional development, and security.”
The NPA’s shift aims to alleviate longstanding congestion at Lagos ports.
