By Kenneth Jukpor
A group of maritime professprofessionals known as Edo Maritime Club has beckoned of the Federal Government to speedily address the multiple problems on Lagos port access roads.
The newly-elected President of Edo Maritime Club (EMC), Mr. Edeigba Thomas Nelson lamented that congestion on the port access roads has worsened in recent weeks and threatens the evacuation of Christmas season cargoes at the ports.
Speaking with journalists shortly after being elected president of the group over the weekend, Edeigba noted that the several consignments are stuck at Lagos ports as clearing agents find it difficult to clear the containers due to the bad state of the roads.
He revealed that out of 85 of his containers at the port in the last three weeks, he has only been able to clear 26 containers paying exorbitant trucking cost as a result of extortion and dilapidated port access roads.
His words: “The government needs to address this road network; the port access road is the general problem that we have as industry operators. We cannot even clear the cargoes that we have in the port. I have been in the port for the past four days and I still can’t go home because l’m yet to clear the cargoes.”
“The cost of transportation to move a cargo outside the port is too high and it is already falling back to the final users through inflation.”
“Most of these Christmas goods are stuck at the port that we are not able to bring them out. The reason is because of the congestion caused by the access road and the presidential tas force are not helping matters. We hope all of these issues are resolved soon.”
Meanwhile, the group organized its most comprehensive election at the weekend elected as new executives were chosen to pilot the affairs of the club.
The new executives include: Mr Edeigba Thomas Nelson who emerged as the President of the group unopposed, Mr Ovie Micheal Imonitie emerged as the Vice President, Okoh Isaac emerged as the General Secretary, Lady Melody Obehi emerged as the Public Relations Officer, Barry Julius Balogun Asst PRO, Nicolas Ugiagbe emerged as Financial Secretary Mr Stanley Okungbowa emerged as the treasurer, while smart Omoruyi lyoha emerged as the assistant secretary.
The group also commended the efforts of one of its patrons, Elder Famous Enearu, who the PRO, Melody described as a strong tower of refuge in the club.
Enearu, is the owner of Classic Bonded Terminal, Famous Transport line and the Cynergy hotel and suites, which was used for the election.
