LAGOS, June 26 (Reuters) - Nigeria said on Wednesday it had cut charges at its southeastern ports by between 20 and 80 percent to relieve pressure on the traffic-choked Lagos main seaports.
The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) said the temporaray measure was an incentive to shippers and importers to divert cargoes from the Lagos ports of Apapa and Tin Can Island to the outer ports in Calabar, Port Harcourt and Warri.
The measure is also designed to assist importers meet the extended government deadline for the clearing of used cars older than five years after government banned their import earlier this year, the NPA said in a statement.
"These incentives are also part of the Authority's efforts to ameliorate both ship and cargo traffic in Lagos ports and to put to greater use the facilities in Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar ports," the NPA said.
The NPA said it had slashed ship and cargo dues for vessels at Calabar port by 30 percent, while companies with substantial investments in the port will benefit from a 40 percent cut in charges.
Charges on container vessels at the Port Harcourt and Warri ports have been slashed by 20 percent, the NPA said.
The NPA said it had granted a 20 percent rent waiver on used cars at the Lagos ports, while those at the outer ports have been given an 80 percent cut in tariff.
Officials said earlier this year that Nigeria's main seaports were heavily clogged by an importer rush to beat new restrictions on importing used vehicles older than five years which came into effect in January.
Importers were given until April 30 to clear all used cars above the new age limit or forfeit them to the government. The deadline was extended earlier in June by two months to ease the massive congestion at the seaports.
"It is hoped that our numerous customers will avail themselves of these opportunities by patronising the outer ports and also take advantage of the rent waiver and remove their vehicles within the two months grace period," the NPA said.
Last year, the Apapa and Tin Can Island ports were massively jammed for over six months after the government introduced 100 percent inspection of cargoes.
Nigeria said last week it had deferred the planned start of destination inspection of imports -- where imported goods are inspected on arrival in Nigeria -- from July 1 and set up a special committee to advise a new date.