KIRIKIRI LIGHTER TERMINAL OPERATING BELOW CAPACITY

By Fabian Anawo

The Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, KLT, is operating far below it’s capacity as a result of underutilisation.

This is according to the Customs Area Controller, KLT Command, Mr. Timi Bomodi.

He told the executive of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria, MARAN, who visited him at Apapa, that the terminal is capable of handling 4000 TEUs but is handling less than ten percent of its full capacity.

Mr. Bomodi noted that the KLT offers more opportunities in terms of space, proximity and access to the port for the facilitation of export and import in and out of the seaports in Lagos.

According to him, the KLT is the most strategic port in Lagos taking into account the crucial role of helping to decongest the ports by providing space in the heyday of cargo congestion.

He said that they had contacted the Nigeria Ports Authority, terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders on the need to move cargo into the terminal.

Besides, Bomodi said that KTL has the capacity and facilities to handle barges that bring containers from Tincan and is profitable for terminal operators.

He said that there are a lot of challenges importers and exporters face because of infrastructure decay in and around the ports, which is affecting the promotion of exports.

Bomadi pointed out that the export potentials of Nigeria is huge but the country lacks information, data, internal logistics system, payment platforms and other infrastructure that would help her achieve great feat.

Congratulating the MARAN executives on their election, Mr. Bomodi said that MARAN members have displayed high level of integrity in their reportage over the years.

Earlier in a remarkl, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere, President of MARAN, said the purpose of the visit was to intimate the Controller on the activities of the association and how it can synergise with the Command to boost its operations.