Ports & Cargo boss raises concerns over delayed port concession renewals

By Temitope Adebayo

The Managing Director, Ports & Cargo Handling Services Limited, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, Mr. John Jenkins, has raised concerns over the delay of port concession renewal in Nigeria.

Port & Cargo terminal is one of the port operators waiting on the government for the renewal of their port concession which expired a few years ago.

According to him, the delay has destabilised Ports and Cargo’s operations, caused uncertainty among customers, and hindered potential new business opportunities.

Jenkins said this during a courtesy visit by Bashir Ambi Mohammed, Head, Complaints Unit, Nigerian Shippers’ Council to the company in Lagos. He lamented that the renewal process of the concession has been stalled since the contract expired in 2021, despite meeting all the necessary terms for a new contract renewal.

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He said: “Ports & Cargo remains one of the leading terminal operators in Nigeria with our record of exceptional service delivery, trade facilitation, many jobs created, and diverse social responsibility footprints across the country. This delay in our concession renewal has tremendously affected our terminal, as our customers are worried about the future of their operations here. Without a new concession in place, they are hesitant to enter into long-term agreements, which is not good for our business.”

Mohammed, who said the objective of the visit was to familiarise with the operators in the sector and explore ways of cooperation, lauded the terminal for its impact and contributions to the growth of the industry in particular and the nation at large.

He emphasized that one of the key objectives of the Council was to ensure that service providers, consumers, and other stakeholders in the shipping sector experience prompt and fair resolution of complaints.

“We are committed to adding value to the nation’s economy through effective regulation and collaboration with service providers,” he said.

He noted the complaint about the concession renewal, adding that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, as the industry economic regulator, will use its influence to expedite the approval process.