The Nigerian Ports Authority has dismissed claims that it charges the highest tariff in the West African coast in a recently released statement.
In the statement signed by the General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications, Jatto Adams, NPA noted that it had in May 2019 commissioned a tariff assessment firm, Messers Crown Agents, with the support of the UK Aid, produced the result of an assessment which revealed that it was cheaper to berth general and container vessels in the Nigerian ports than in Ghana and Togo.
The statement read in part, “Specifically, while it costs $94,567.63 (Value Added Tax inclusive) to berth a general cargo vessel, 196 metres long, with Gross Register Tonnage of 26,770, and cargo of 14,100 metric tonnes in Nigerian ports, for instance, ports in Ghana and Togo charge $217,879.07 and $120, 357.58 exclusive of VAT for the same types of cargo respectively.
“Similarly, while the Authority charges $108,806.90 VAT inclusive on a container vessel with 39,906 GRT and length of 261m carrying 172×20” and 139×40” containers, ports in Ghana and Togo charge $117,906.58 and $128,406.94 exclusive of VAT respectively.”
The agency also maintained that apart from towage dues, which were reviewed to cover the cost of providing the service in 2015, its tariffs had remained the same since 1993.
“This is also in spite of the erroneous inclusion of stevedoring charges, which are collected by terminal operators as the Authority’s component,” it noted.
It added that costs such as freight rates and terminal handling charges were components outside the purview of the NPA that had no power to regulate economic activities at the ports.
The NPA then assured customers and all port users of its commitment to the ease of doing business policy of the Federal Government, pledging that it was working to enhance the competitiveness of all Nigerian ports.
