According to Dr Taiwo Olayinka Afolabi, managing director of the Sifax group, the current difficulties being experienced by shipping lines at terminals in Lagos are directly attributable to the failure of the government to either expand existing capacity or build new ports. He nevertheless acknowledged that private sector operators have improved efficiency, contributed to the upgrading of infrastructure, brought in more than handling equipment and improved vessel turnaround times. However, the additional cargo that these improvements attracted had also indirectly impacted on increasing congestion.

Sifax already operates Terminal C at Tin Can Island and has so far invested $101m in upgrading operations there, including putting into operation four quayside gantry cranes.