Effect of Port Reform on Cargo Throughput Level at Onne Seaport Nigeria. A Comparative Study Before and After Reform Policy Implementation

Abstract

This Thesis focuses on the impact of reforms on port performance using Onne and Rivers ports as a reference point. It analyses the pre and post reform eras of the ports in terms of their performance. The reforms took effect from 1996 after the Federal Government of Nigeria concessioned the ports to private investors. Parameters such as Cargo throughput, Ship turn round time, Berth Occupancy l were used as variables for the assessment. Secondary Data were collected from the Nigerian Ports Authourity and Integrated Logistic Services Nigeria (Intels) for the period 2001 to 2010 and analyzed using a two sample t-test toevaluate the difference between sample means of the cargo throughput before the introduction of the reforem and after.The findings show that the reforms resulted in significant improvements in cargo throughputs as compared to the pre-reform era. The t-test shows that average Port throughput has increased significantly since the reform(concessioning) came into effect.. There is an increase in Ship traffic calling at the ports, resulting in increased cargo throughput and berth occupancy rate at ports of Onne.This study concludes that the ports of Onne is performing better under the reform programme of the Federal Government of Nigeria. It finally recommends the introductionof an Integrated Intermodal Transport system for an effective and swift transfer of cargoes to and from the hinterland. Also, there is an urgent need for a regulator to appraise the performance of the reform programme from time to time as provided by the agreement, and for the full adoption and utilization of management information system (MIS) to aid performance efficiency.