Transporting goods from China to Nigeria, might seem expensive, but in reality, it costs more to move same goods from Apapa Port to the trade fair complex in Lagos.
This must obviously be one of the reasons why goods are very expensive in Nigeria’s markets.
TVC News Correspondent, Ifunanya Eze reports that it cost between 800,000 to 900,000 naira to move a container of goods at a distance of 9,903 kilometers from China to Nigeria.
But for an importer to move same container from the Apapa ports to the Trade fair complex, a journey of 19.8 kilometers, he pays 700,000 naira and more if the container is going beyond that destination.
This importer gives an insight into why taking delivery of goods from the Lagos seaports is costlier than importing from abroad.
Traffic congestion leading to delays in turn around time for trucks within the Lagos seaports corridor was also identified as another factor for the high haulage cost.
For other port users, Government’s action is needed, if the intention behind the ease of doing business initiative is not to be eroded.
Last year, in a bid to ease import and export flow, the government launched reforms at the ports, but implementation has remained problematic.
