The President Shippers Association of Lagos, Rev. Jonathan Nicole, said Nigeria loses over N800 billion monthly due to lack of 24-hour seaport operation.
Nicole made this known to newsmen in Lagos.
In May 2017, Vice President Yemi Osinbajo signed an Executive Order directing resumption of 24-hour operations at the Apapa Port and prohibiting touting in seaports.
However, the 24-hour operations have yet to commence in the seaports while the agencies sacked from operating at the seaports have returned to participate in physical examination of cargoes.
The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Bala-Usman, recently accused some Federal Government agencies at the ports of lack of compliance with the directive and executive order.
According to Nicole, the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) generated almost N26 billion daily in the past from seaports.
“The figure has dropped because our imports have reduced. The port is money-spinning. Payments are daily made to shipping companies, terminal operators, customs, transporters, Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) in the ports.
“If one is bringing out 1,000 containers, add the customs duty, shipping and terminal charges, transportation and even under-the-table transactions, then you will understand the amount involved. We need to put in place policies that are workable and cannot be thwarted,” he said.