A major crisis situation has hit terminals C and D at the Apapa Quay, Lagos Port Complex, operated by ENL Consortium Limited, an indigenous port operator, with dire economic implications for Nigerians, Allafrica reports.
More than nine vessels bearing over 24,960 metric tons of fish, 28,125 metric tons of rice and 5,447 metric tons of soda ash are currently stuck at the terminal as they are yet to find space to berth since July 25.
ENL commenced operations in April 2006, with a 10- year term of lease.
The company, which paid a commencement fee of $2, 000, 000, 00 according to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), operates from berths 6 - 14 with a total length of 1720meters.
The terminal was in contention for many years, between ENL Consortium and Michelle Nigeria\Gold Star Line.
Investigations by Daily Independent revealed that 10 ships are occupying the available berths in the terminal, some of which berthed since July 10, carrying commodities ranging from rice, fish and general cargo.
The terminal is also expecting the arrival of additional 10 vessels in the next days with over 234,785 metric tons of various commodities including bagged cement, fish, general cargo, rice and B/clinker according to Shipping Position published by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
There are indications that the recent accident at the terminal, where a trailer plunged into the sea at berth 9, killing the motor boy attached to the vehicle may have contributed to the crises. But the terminal officials denied any linkage with the accident.
The truck was to load rice at the terminal, when it plunged into the sea and efforts to rescue the driver and the truck were abortive as divers, brought in to assist in pulling out the truck failed due to high tide, according to sources.
"No, it has nothing to do with the trailer accident," said Mark Walsh, general manager of ENL Consortium.
He said the accident did not affect anything, attributing the crises at the terminal to weather concerns.
He told Daily Independent on the telephone that because of the rains, they cannot open the hatch of the vessels to discharge fish, cement, rice or other commodities, adding that the situation is what is responsible for the delay in discharge of the commodities.
ENL had also suffered major losses some time in 2008 when dockworkers in collaboration with hoodlums invaded the terminal, damaging properties to protest the death of three seafarers who reportedly died following a crane failure on a vessel discharging cargo at the terminal.
More than nine vessels bearing over 24,960 metric tons of fish, 28,125 metric tons of rice and 5,447 metric tons of soda ash are currently stuck at the terminal as they are yet to find space to berth since July 25.
ENL commenced operations in April 2006, with a 10- year term of lease.
The company, which paid a commencement fee of $2, 000, 000, 00 according to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), operates from berths 6 - 14 with a total length of 1720meters.
The terminal was in contention for many years, between ENL Consortium and Michelle Nigeria\Gold Star Line.
Investigations by Daily Independent revealed that 10 ships are occupying the available berths in the terminal, some of which berthed since July 10, carrying commodities ranging from rice, fish and general cargo.
The terminal is also expecting the arrival of additional 10 vessels in the next days with over 234,785 metric tons of various commodities including bagged cement, fish, general cargo, rice and B/clinker according to Shipping Position published by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
There are indications that the recent accident at the terminal, where a trailer plunged into the sea at berth 9, killing the motor boy attached to the vehicle may have contributed to the crises. But the terminal officials denied any linkage with the accident.
The truck was to load rice at the terminal, when it plunged into the sea and efforts to rescue the driver and the truck were abortive as divers, brought in to assist in pulling out the truck failed due to high tide, according to sources.
"No, it has nothing to do with the trailer accident," said Mark Walsh, general manager of ENL Consortium.
He said the accident did not affect anything, attributing the crises at the terminal to weather concerns.
He told Daily Independent on the telephone that because of the rains, they cannot open the hatch of the vessels to discharge fish, cement, rice or other commodities, adding that the situation is what is responsible for the delay in discharge of the commodities.
ENL had also suffered major losses some time in 2008 when dockworkers in collaboration with hoodlums invaded the terminal, damaging properties to protest the death of three seafarers who reportedly died following a crane failure on a vessel discharging cargo at the terminal.