FG, Operators Generates N2.96trn In 3 Years From Ports Operations

The Federal government and private terminal operators have generated a whooping N2.96trillion from port operations, charges and levies in three years.

The amount was what accrued into the Federal government coffers through the agencies of government that include the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and private terminal operators operating at the nation’s seaports

The seaport include, Apapa, Tin-Can, Delta, Calabar, Warri, Port Harcourt and Onne ports.

It was learnt that in the year under review – 2013 to 2015 – the Nigerian ports received 1,396,057, 1,551,540 and 1,317212 teu and 5,369, 5,349 and 5,090 vessels called at various Nigeria ports respectively.

However, at N87,682 per clearance of 40ft container, private container terminal operators raked in N264billion in the year under review.

Also, Nigeria Customs Service generated N2.71trillion in three years from duty payments collectable on imported goods into the country.

The service generated N833.3billion in 2013, N977.09billion and N904billion in 2014 and 2015 respectively.

NIMASA on its own generated N156billion from its statutory three per cent charges on international inbound and outbound dry and wet cargoes and Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) three per cent statutory levy.

The agency generated N39billion ($242.3m at a prevailing rate of N160/$) in 2013, N46.1billion ($288.1) in 2014 and N70.8billion in 2015.

The agency’s revenues saw an increase in 2013 to $242.3 million and $288.1million in 2014,when it made the Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) to begin payment of the three per cent statutory levy.

NPA which generated revenue both in naira and dollar from oil terminals, compulsory Pilotage amounted from vessels calling at the nation’s ports and lease fee charges from terminal operators operating at all Nigeria seaports.

According to the Authority, it generated N428billion in naira and dollar for the Federal government under three years.

According to the figure, NPA generated $2.1billion in the year under review. The revenue generated in Dollars was as follows, 2013, $311.8m (N50billion at ), $893.7m (N143billion) and $873.7 (N140billion at prevailing rate of N160/$).

NPA also generated N12.1billion and N11.9billion in naira between 2014 and 2015 while the authority collected N5.1billion, N8.4billion and N6.9billion as lease agreement fee from terminal operators in the year under review

Also, the dollar revenue generated from oil terminals and compulsory Pilotage amounted to $35.5 million in 2013 signaling an increase of 12.3 per cent over the $36.1 million in 2014. However, unlike the naira generated revenue, the dollar revenue collected from terminal oil due and pilotage increased by 12.3 from $33.9 million in 2014 to $38.1 million in 2015.

Meanwhile, the ship traffic statistics at Nigerian ports has reflected that a total number of 19,833 vessels berthed at the various ports between 2013 and 2016. Similarly 543,842,425 tonnages were registered within the period under review.

Year 2014 recorded the highest number of vessels berthed as well as tonnages registered while the least were recorded in 2016.

 Tin Can Island Port handled the most ships accounting for 33% of total number of ships that berthed in all ports and 32% of total tonnage registered in all ports. It is closely followed by Apapa port which accounted for 28% of ships that berthed and 25% of total tonnage registered and Onne port which accounted for 15% of ships that berthed and 30% of total tonnage registered.

Also, cargo traffic statistics revealed a total of 312,185,808 cargo traffic was recorded at all Nigerian ports between 2013 and 2016. 196,851,236 or 63% of the cargo traffic were inwards while 115, 334572 or 37% were outward.

Apapa port handled the most number of inward cargoes accounting for 39% of total inward cargoes and closely followed by Tin Can Island and Delta ports accounting for 31% and 11% respectively. Calabar port accounts for 4.29% to record the least.

Similarly, Onne ports handled the most number of outward cargoes accounting for 80% of total outward cargoes and closely followed by Delta and Apapa ports accounting for 10.63% and 3.52% respectively.

Also, Calabar port accounts for 0.05% to record the least. The number of passenger traffic within the period under was put at 52,262 while the highest number of passenger traffic was recorded in 2013