General
NPA Boss Raises Concern Over Ageing Ports in West, Central Africa
By Adedapo Adesanya
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Abubakar Dantsoho, has said that outdated port infrastructure was one of the major challenges hindering efficient port operations across West and Central African countries, which have been in existence for over 50 years.
At a dinner hosted for port managers from West and Central Africa in Lagos, Mr Dantsoho noted that many ports in the region were built decades ago and were no longer suitable for modern shipping demands.
He explained that Apapa Port had been there for over 100 years, Tin Can Island, 50 years, and Port Harcourt Port, 100 years, saying that the old infrastructures were no longer fit for current realities.
The managing director stressed that while ports in the past were designed for vessels measuring about 100 metres in length, the industry now handles ships of between 300 and 400 metres long, requiring deeper channels, larger terminals and improved cargo-handling facilities.
According to the port regulator helmsman, Nigeria’s major ports, including Apapa Port, Tin Can Island Port and Port Harcourt Port, have aged significantly and require urgent modernisation to meet global standards.
Mr Dantsoho noted that global shipping had evolved rapidly, with modern vessels now far larger than what many African ports were originally designed to accommodate.
Drawing an analogy with technological advancement in homes, he said infrastructure must also evolve to remain relevant.
“Fifty years ago, homes were different from what they are today. Now you have flat-screen televisions, DSTV, Netflix and other modern systems. Ports also need infrastructure that can accommodate modern systems.
“When you receive smaller vessels, you receive smaller cargo volumes. But when you receive bigger vessels, you receive larger volumes of containers. That is a key factor in port business today.”
Mr Dantsoho advocated for sustained investment and regional collaboration to modernise port infrastructure and improve competitiveness across African ports.
