CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background to the Study
In history, Apapa has been one of the most exclusive and productive regions of Lagos state in terms of the economy. It has highly prominent features that make it the gateway or access for international trade. Owing to this fact, several scholars have researched into its existence which strategically paves way for international business trade between Nigeria and other countries. Scholars have attempted different aspects of the development of Apapa with respect to the emergence of situating the Sea Port in the area. Ogundana (1978) and Chilaka (2003) have unravelled the maritime history of Lagos and the whole country entirely. The significant nature of this region of Lagos has allowed for an increment in the flood of traffic congestion and transportation. Apapa region of Lagos remains the most prosperous district of Lagos metropolis since the 1970s. It also serves as the centre for Lagos international economy and this has made it predictable for other problems which include road port congestions and transportation complications. This is not far-fetched from the fact that dealers, suppliers and merchants from all parts of the country often access Apapa to clear their goods and make other important transactions. Arrival of goods with heavy/large capacity also poses problem to transporters since the mode of transportation in the area is seemingly restricted to land. This has unfavourably affected the successful implementation of sea trade in the port city of Apapa.
The statistic record of Apapa Port, according to Chilaka (2019, p. 1) reveal that “in October 2018, traffic data from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) began to reflect a 7.1% decline in cargo throughout and international shipping lines began to levy a congestion surcharge, extra $400 per container passing through the Lagos ports”. There is no doubt that the existence of the seaport in Apapa has not affected the development of Apapa area of Lagos state. With respect to this, Ogundana (1970) reports that the poor management of land and its allocations is one of the most significant defects which serve as constraint to the development in the city of Apapa. Against the background above, this study intends to do a critical investigation into Apapa port and how it has served as an agent of development to the city of Apapa at large.
1.2. Statement of the Problem
A brief overview of the background above reflects that researches have been conducted on Apapa ports in relation to its environment. However, there is an untouched gap in the existing literature with respects to the all-inclusive analysis of the significance of the Sea Port to the development of Apapa in terms of transportation (traffic gridlocks), economic strength of the area, costs of living and some other developmental features of a society. It is against this backdrop that this study attempts to bridge the knowledge gap and proffer solutions.
1.3. Objectives of the Study
The overall aim of this study is to examine the nature of Apapa Port and how it has affected the development of Apapa region of Lagos. Its specific objectives are:
- Highlight the positive impacts of the Apapa port on Apapa;
- investigate how Apapa port contributes to the development of Apapa;
- examine the impact of Apapa port on the infrastructures in Apapa community; and
- examine the roles which Apapa port have on the transportation in Apapa community.
1.4. Research Questions
The following questions have been designed by the researcher to guide its step. They are:
- What positive impact does Apapa port have on Apapa?
- How does Apapa port contribute to the development of Apapa?
- What impact does Apapa port have on the infrastructures in Apapa community?
- What roles does Apapa port have on the transportation in Apapa community?
1.6. Significance of the Study
The following are the significance of this study:
Outcomes from this study will form a useful guide for government and policy makers in Nigeria on amendments that needs to be made on the Nigeria ports regulations, that will make the law effective, to meet the national need and development.
It will also constitute future academic literature or resources for scholars and researchers that are intending to study Apapa port development in relation to national development.
1.7. Scope of the Study
It will cover the nature of Apapa Port and how it has affected the development of Apapa region of Lagos. This research will also cover the regulations and development of Apapa Port of Lagos State.
1.8. Methodology
This study will be adopting the qualitative method for collecting and analysing data. In the course of doing this, rigorous library, online articles and journals, text books, class notes research would be adopted to gather information regarding Apapa Port and the development of Apapa. Qualitative research is mainly concerned with the ability to encapsulate the nature of individual thoughts, actions and expressions in everyday life in order to give them meaning. The Apapa port was chosen due to its exclusiveness to the nation’s economy and its importance to Lagos state and Nigeria at large.
SOURCES OF DATA
In the course of research for this work relevant data and information were obtained from the main sources. These were primary and secondary source.
1. Primary Sources:
Primary sources which were utilized in the course of the research for this work from archival research. Material was consulted at the Library, Ogun State. They include report on Apapa Port and how it has affected the development of Apapa region of Lagos and other documents relating to this works.
2. Secondary Source:
Secondary source which consulted in some university and public libraries across the country include textbooks, journals and periodicals information obtained from primary sources. These sourced helped to provide data and information relating to Apapa Port and how it has affected the development of Apapa region of Lagos.
1.9. Historical Background of Apapa Port and the Development
Port of Apapa is the port for the City of Lagos in the Rivers Province of Nigeria. Located west of Lagos Island across the harbor from the city, Apapa is one of the country’s administrative local government areas. Lagos Port has three major components, Lagos, Apapa, and Tin Can Island.
The Nigerian Ports Authority regulates all major ports in Nigeria, including the Port of Apapa. While the agency is being privatized, its mission is to contribute to national economy and well-being through efficient management of port operations, optimal allocation and use of resources, diversification of revenue sources, and maintaining adequate returns on investments.
The Port of Apapa contains an important container terminal that the Nigerian Government owned and operated until sold to a Danish firm, AP Moller-Maersk Group in 2005. The Port of Apapa Quay is the primary outlet for the country’s exports. The Port of Apapa is the country’s biggest port, handling a wide range of commodities. The Port of Apapa contains facilities specialized in handling wheat, oil, cement, fish, dry cargo, and containers.
The Port of Apapa Container Terminal covers 44 hectares and can handle up to 22 thousand TEUs of containerized cargo. With six berths with alongside depth of 10.5 meters and total quay length of 950 meters, the Port of Apapa Container Terminal also contains 6.4 thousand square meters of covered storage. The container yard has capacity for 19.5 thousand TEUs, and it contains 298 reefer plugs.
Just over 50 kilometers west of the Port of Apapa is the ancient town of Badagry. Founded in the early 15th Century, it served the Oyo Empire made up of the Ogu and Yoruba peoples. Slaves were brought here from West Africa to be transported to the Americas, and it is believed that at least 550 thousand Africans were transported to North America during the United States’ first years of independence. From the Badagry slave port, slaves also went to Europe, the Caribbean, and South America. As the major source of income for Europeans in the town, the slave trade left many reminders: buildings, cultural artifacts, and memories. Badagry’s slave trade area is being preserved so that the world can learn about this dark past. (World Port Source 2018)
1.10 Organization of Study
This study shall be divided into 5 sections:
Chapter one introduces the Background of the Study, Statement of the Problem, the Objective of the Study, The research questions, The Significance of the Study, The Scope of the Study, and Time Frame will also provide a clear conceptual understanding of the project.
Chapter two consists of Conceptual Clarification, Theoretical Framework and a history of the concept of Apapa Port development.
Chapter three comprises of the Research Methodology.
Chapter four contains the presentation, and interpretation of data gathered through qualitative methods.
Chapter five consists of the summary, conclusion and recommendations.
