The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) has expressed concerns over the collapsing quay apron of the Tin Can Island Port of Lagos.

The President of MARAN, Mr Godfrey Bivbere, expressed the concern in a statement on Saturday in Lagos.

Bivbere said there was the need for the rehabilitation of other ports around the country.

He said that the association had concluded plans to host maritime stakeholders to a breakfast meeting to discuss workable solutions to the deplorable state of the port.

“The association is troubled that ships are now avoiding the Tin Can Island Port due to its collapsing quay apron and this is detrimental to the economy since the government relies on the revenue generated from the ports on a daily basis.

“As part of our agenda-setting function, MARAN is organising the meeting to discuss workable solutions to the deplorable state of the Tin Can Port, as well as the need for rehabilitation of other ports around the country,” he said.

Bivbere added that the event would be used to inaugurate the newly elected officials of the association.

“The association is worried that the collapsed quay apron of the port is already leading to vessels avoiding the Tin Can Port and this will lead to loss of revenue for the Federal Government,” he said.

Bivbere said that the breakfast meeting with the theme: Rehabilitation of Tin Can Island Port: Proffering Workable Solutions,” would hold on July 6.

He said that various stakeholders expected at the meeting are the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Dr Magdalene Ajani and the Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority, Mr Mohammed Bello-Koko.

Others include the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Emmanuel Jime, various commands of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), shipping companies and terminal operators, among others. (NAN)