Port Reforms and Concession: A Study of Apapa and Tin Can Island Seaports

Abstract

This research looked at the impact of port reforms and concessions on the management of ports in Nigeria, using Apapa and Tin Can Island Seaports as case studies. The study’s goal was to ascertain if the concessions at these ports had improved port infrastructure as well as decreased ship waiting time. The research was explained using the New Public Management Theory, which promotes the notion of developing a performance-oriented culture in a decentralised public sector. The survey research was used for the study, and this guided the use of a standardised questionnaire to gather information from the research participants. Hard data from the Nigerian Ports Authority supplemented this. Even though they cannot be compared to international best practices, the study’s results indicated that there have been advances in the level of turnaround time for oceangoing vessels, the level of cargo throughput, and the berth occupancy rate. As a result of this discovery, it was suggested, among others, that the government work with the concessionaires to increase infrastructure spending so that it is simple to enter and exit the port facilities. Additionally, steps should be taken to lessen the presence of MDAs and other security personnel at the ports.