Introduction
Calabar, eastern Nigeria's main port, is situation 83kms up the Cross River
in the Niger delta. Nestled in the far south east of Nigeria, Cross River State
is Nigeria's frontier to Cameroon, Sao Tome, Equatorial Guinea and beyond.
The Calabar seaport has an array of modern facilities for export and import
trade. It enjoys direct road link with the middle belt and the north-eastern
parts of the country. Its facilities include 860m quay length and 35,000 sq.m
of stacking area.
The port channel is 7m deep and is being dredged to 9m and 13m draught, at
turning basin and quay side respectively. This will allow vessels of 170m,
and between 10,000 and 15,000 dead weight to steam into the port without hindrance.
Its location on the south-eastern extremity of the country, almost
entirely isolated by rivers, warrants the maintenance of good network of roads.
The two major road transportation arteries are the east west lkang Calabarltu
Road and the the north south Calabar lkomYola road. However, parts of both
highways have fallen into a severe state of disrepair on account of lack of
adequate maintenance. With the EPZ (see under History) at Calabar, it is vital
that both roads be rehabilitated and in fact dualized. The road network runs
directly through the commercial city of Aba through to Onitsha, Nnewi and Enugu.
Distances are as follows:
Aba - 125 km
Onitsha - 280 km
Enugu - 285 km
Nnewi - 270 km
The Cross River towns
have good intracity transportation (taxis, buses, motorcycles), in addition
to a good system of intercity and interlocal government up area transportation.
History & The Calabar Free Trade Zone
Calabar, an important trading state since the 19th century originally grew
as a centre of the palm oil trade.
In 1967 Port Harcourt was closed to foreign traffic. Lagos thus became the
only available port serving the country's maritime transportation needs.
The Federal Military Government enacted a special decree, which empowered
the Nigerian
Ports Authority to acquire the ports of Calabar, Warriand Burutu. The NPA
spent N3.5 million at the time to acquire these ports.
During 1970-74 The Federal Military Government drew up its Second National
Development Plan, which was the first major policy thrust in reconstructing
and rehabilitating the civil-war-damaged economy. Initially the sum of N4.1
million was made available for the rehabilitation of port structures and
necessary mechanical handling equipment. By the first two years of the plan,
the project
was completed. The ports reconstructed included Calabar, Port Harcourt, Bonny,
Koko and Lagos.
In the government's 'Third Development Plan, 1975 to 1980, port development
occupied a very important position. On 19th June 1979 the new Calabar Port
was hence commissioned after a $475 million investment.
In 1992 the foundation stone of the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ) was laid
by the then Head of State, Gen. Ibrahim Babangida. The CFTZ is one of the
Export free zones run by the Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA),
a
government agency empowered by the Nigerian Export Processing Zones Act 63
of 1992, to regulate the operations of free trade zones in the country. As
of today, not fewer than 70 companies have registered to do business in the
CFTZ. Of the figure, over 15 are currently fully operational in the zone,
manufacturing and exporting diverse products; while about equal number are
still under construction.
Some of the companies in the first category include AYOS Wood International,
Kevin Wood Industry, Wood Tech Industries Ltd., SOCOMI International, Goldways
Industries, Tiger Cement Company, LARNAGOLD Industries, etc. Among these
is a company owned by the wife of the former Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief
Akpan
Isemin, which manufactures and exports packet shirts. Those still under construction
include, BAO YAO Iron And Steel, Petra Graniti Ltd., ERISCO Group Products,
Total Support Energy, Fay Hygienic Products West Coast Auto & Allied, among
others.
Besides these are the support companies such as the fully functional Fire
Service station, the NITEL exchange which offers the zone a one-dial phone
services,
a far cry of the epileptic service that obtains in the city generally. There
are also banks operating in the area such as the First Bank, Nexim Bank and
the Union Bank. The zone equally offers good road network (most of the roads
within the zone are dual carriage ways), and an uninterrupted power supply,
a water Treatment plant and a canteen among others.
Traffic Statistics
Traffic Analysis excluding crude oil in tons (1998-2000) Source: NPA Statistics
year 2000.
1998
Import 170,606
Export 36,918
Total 207,524 1.10% of all Nigerian traffic
1999
Import 208,414
Export 18,221
Total 18,221 1% of all Nigerian traffic
2000
Import 303,590
Export 4,514
Total 308,104 1% of all Nigerian traffic
Dredging in the port of Calabar is expected to begin in 6 months
($ 298 million) and will be complete in 28 months. After the work is complete,
the draught will increase from 8 to 11 meters to accommodate vessels with greater
tonnage.
Calabar Port Dredging to Cost N4BN - 17/05/04
The long-awaited dredging of the Calabar port is expected to commence in six
months and cost N4 billion, according to reports. Chief Adebayo Sarumi, managing
director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), is reported to have announced
this shortly after inspecting facilities at the port complex.
The dredging would be completed within 18 months, he said, noting that the
draught of the port would be extended from eight to 11 metres to handle bigger
vessels. Sarumi said the port, built in 1978 at the cost of N84 million, had
enough room for future expansion. The NPA was planning how to increase commercial
activities at the port through private sector participation and direct foreign
investment, he announced. Noting that the Calabar port had witnessed a lull
in economic activities over the years, Sarumi said it would benefit immensely
from the federal government's policy on port reforms.
After years of delay, the long awaited dredging of the Calabar Port channel
to enable bigger vessels sail to Cross River State is due to commence soon,
as modalities for the exercise have been concluded by the Federal Government.
The Calabar Port, though furnished with appropriate facilities, has been
perennially plagued by low ship traffic because of the shallow channel,
which has been a source of worry to ship owners who fear their vessels
may run aground.
Last month, Governor Donald Duke of Cross River State expressed disappointment
over the delay in commencement of the dredging project despite earlier assurances
and confirmed that the project would still take-off as scheduled. According
to him, President Olusegun Obasanjo had assured him immediately after the last
Federal Executive Council meeting that the Minister of Transport had confirmed
that the necessary arrangements had been concluded for the job to begin. Duke,
who described Calabar Port as one of the best ports at which to do business
in Nigeria, expressed the goodwill and appreciation of his government and people
of the state over Maersk Nigeria Limited Shipping Line's decision to open an
office in the state. The governor, who intimated the company's officials that
there is zero per cent theft at the port, commended them for expanding their
expertise in trans container shipment. He added that Calabar, being a sub-continental
hub, would equally assist to expand the firm's business frontiers in the continent.
He assured that the Nigerian Customs Service operating at the port would avail
the company of its services to ensure smooth services in the area.
The Federal Government has declared the Calabar Port in Cross River State,
Nigeria as a vehicular port ahead of the capital dredging of its 87-kilometre
nautical mile channel which is expected to begin next month. With this development,
most cars will now be imported into the country through Calabar Port. The
designation of Calabar Port as a vehicular port is a welcome development
to the port which
could boast a full complement of facilities, yet records a low level of business.
The Government has developed a park that could accommodate 10,000 cars, thereby
enabling the Calabar Port to compete favorably with the Cotonou Port in Benin
Republic.
Calabar Export Zone
Nigeria's premier export processing zone, the Calabar Free Trade Zone (CFTZ)
generated N282 million for the Federal Government as customs duties between
January and November 2003.
The Managing Director of Nigeria Export Processing Zones Authority (NEPZA),
Mrs. Ifeyinwa Umenyi stated that total investments in the zone now stood
at $220 million (about N2.3 trillion). The government
has also invested about $500 million (N7.5 trillion) into the project.
Since its inception, the multi-million dollar project has also provided
jobs for
4,700 persons.
Umenyi expressed satisfaction that the zone had reasonably achieved its
objectives, which include solving some of the nation's social problems,
bringing about
transfer of technology and encouraging exports. The NEPZA, she added, was
negotiating with the Cross River State government towards establishing
a used car processing
zone in Calabar, the state capital. She said the proposed used car zone
would be fashioned after that of Dubai and may take-off by the end of the
year,
based on the positive signals NEPZA had received from the state government.
Umenyi
explained that some importers of second-hand cars had approached the authority
to indicate their willingness to use the free port for their transactions.
She restated the authority's resolve to conform to the government's policy
on used cars. Umenyi disclosed that car-bearing ships were ordered to berth
in Calabar in 2001, following the congestion at the Lagos ports, but the
move was suspended due to protests by importers.
WACT to start business activities in Calabar port
Business activities at the Calabar port, which has witnessed a lull for
some time now, may pick up following plans to convince the management
of the West
African Container Terminal (WACT) to set up an operational base at the
port. Deputy Managing Director of Intels Integrated Logistics Services,
Mr. Chuks
Ihioma said Intels is in consultation with WACT which currently manages
the container terminal in Onne, to explore the possibility of diverting
some
of its consignments to Calabar.
Ihioma noted that despite the inactivity at the port at the moment, Intels
is still maintaining its facilities including the 25,000 meters space,
an office accommodation and a 60-man staff, in expectation of return
of business
to the
port city. This he explained, is because of the company's clients who
may decide to return to the port if the prevailing conditions are resolved
and the fact
that Adax, one of the company's client, which, still runs skeletal operations
there, may decide to increase its operation.
Continuing, he pointed out that this is as a result of the firm's
flexibility in its service to its numerous customers regarding the use of any
of its facilities base in Warri, Onne or Calabar. The Intels deputy managing
director, said that the major problem affecting the use of the port despite,
the incentive by the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA), is the
draft of the channel leading to the port which is about 10 meters deep.
He further explained that at its height the water level is about
7.6 meters while it records about 6 meters during low tide, a situation which
makes it inaccessible for ocean going vessels to get to the port. He stressed
that the channel requires continuous dredging not only to make it accessible
but to keep it so at all times because the tide would always wash the sand
back into the channel.
Ihioma complained about the state of the roads linking Calabar
with surrounding towns like Port Harcourt which takes between three and four
hours because of their terrible state. He pointed out that motorable roads
would most likely attract importers whose operational bases are closer to the
port.
He said that at the moment it is only Intels and the Dangote
Group that still maintains their presence at the port, with the later operating
a salt factory. He however expressed the belief that business would pick up
soon, should their consultation with WACT achieve the desired result, which
would in turn attract order establishments to the port.
Calabar Port Maritime Security Committee
The Calabar Port Maritime Security Committee was inaugurated in July 2003 in
line with the requirement as stipulated in the recent amendment to Safety
of life at Sea (SOLAS) and International Ship and Port Facility Security
(ISPS) code. The committee aims at putting into place the neccessary internationational
framework to enhance maritime security on ships and Ports and will also
safeguard the maritime sector to enhance improvement in the nation's economy.
The committee is formed of Calabar Port Manager, Mr. Bala Ahmed as chairman,
while other members include, Capt. E.S. Uwak, Mrs. B.N. Ekanem, Mr. S.T.
Benjamin, Dr. CM T.A. Essien, Major C.A. Iyotyom (rtd), Mr Uche, .... Mr.
A.A. Musa and Mr. Solomon.
NAFDAC labs coming up in Enugu, Calabar, P'Harcourt
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration And Control (NAFDAC),
has begun the construction of three new laboratories in two geo-political
zones in the country. The new laboratories are sited in Calabar, Port
Harcourt and
Enugu, will bring to seven the number of such facilities in the country meant
for the testing of drugs, foods and cosmetics consumed in the country.
A NAFDAC representative, Mr. Victor Abiolain Port Harcourt, stated that work
on the projects which started last year, was expected to be completed and
equipped this year. Abiola explained that the laboratories were constructed
alongside
living quarters for workers who would man them, adding that when in use,
they would greatly complement the efforts of the existing laboratories.
The Head of Establishment Inspection, NAFDAC, Calabar, Mr. Ephraim Omelime
said the agency has amended the procedure to eliminate delays and minimise
requirements to ensure that standards were not compromised.
