APFFLON Bemoans State of Onne Port Access Road

... Urges FG to Expidite its Repair

ZAINAB JUNAID 

The African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), has called on the Federal Government to expedite action towards rehabilitation of the Onne Port access road which he described as an eye sore

National President of the Association, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, made the call during the inauguration of the Association's Executives on Thursday at Onne, Port Harcourt.

Ogunojemite said "We are using this opportunity to appeal to the Federal Government to accelerate the repair of the road leading to the port. The access road is an eye sore and has been an impediment to ease of doing business, not only to port users, but also to the farmers and people living within the community."

In an interview with Maritime Journalists Association of Nigeria( MAJAN), the APFFLON President noted that there is need to monitor the contractor handling the rehabilitation of the road in order to FasTrack its process.

He said in order not to impede movement of goods and people during the period of rehabilitation, alternative road need to be provided to ameliorate the inconveniences both port users and the community would experience during this period.

"So we are asking the government to fastrack the road construction, monitor the contractors, provide an alternative link road, not only for the port users, but also the host community, particularly the farmers," Ogunojemite stated.

He noted that the road is very important as it serves as transit path to Uyo and other areas and most importantly, it is the access road through which farmers move out their produce. 

The Association, after the inauguration paid a courtesy visit to the Nigeria Customs Area Controller (CAC) of Onne Port Commad, ACG B. Immam, and engaged in a robust discussion particularly on trade facilitator,revenue and export trade with him.

Fielding questions on activities going on in Onne Port, Ogunojemite expressed satisfaction saying he is impressed with the ongoing activities in the Port but appealed to Government to help reshape the deplorable state of infrastructure, the access road especially. 

His words, "Despite having only one scanner, the port is actually living up to expectation.  The thing that is lacking in Onne port is infrastructure. If truck break down, it is difficult to remove it, and this affects the time goods are moved from the port to the town. Government should help hasten the repair of the dilapidated infrastructure, provide more scanners in the Port."