Effect of Port Infrastructure on Performance of Eastern Nigerian Ports (2000-2022)

Abstract

This study examined the effect of port infrastructure on performance of Eastern Nigerian port (2000-2020). Port infrastructure is both the independent (predictor) variable as well as the dimension of the study. Also, performance of Eastern Nigerian ports serves as the key dependent variable or criterion variable under which the measures such as cargo throughputs and vessel turnaround time have been appraised. The population of the study consisted of 1527 staff of the four Eastern Nigerian ports. The study sampled 317 respondents out of which 302 of them were found useful and valid for the study analysis. The study collected data with the help of a structured questionnaire through Monkey Survey. Descriptive and inferential statistical tools were used to analyse data in the study. The study also, used Pearson Products Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) to test the hypotheses with the aid of SPSS 22.0. The reliability of the research instrument was tested using the Cronbach alpha to ascertain the reliability of the instrument which was 0.869 far above the 0.70 threshold. The study found that port infrastructures are veritable assets for achieving container terminal performance in Eastern Nigerian ports. The study also revealed that the quality of interaction of staff with customers enhances container terminal performance and that prompt, effective and efficient port services, offers real opportunities to optimize container terminal performance in Eastern ports. The study found that there is no political will on the part of government to provide enough infrastructure for the smooth running of the ports. The study also revealed that the quality and quantity of infrastructures in the port are good indicators to elicit efficient operational services and influence vessel throughputs. Conclusively, port infrastructure has a positive and significant relationship with cargo throughputs in Eastern, port infrastructure has a positive and significant relationship with vessel turnaround time in Eastern Nigerian ports Therefore, port management should make haste to ensure that all impediments to the provision of port infrastructures that would guarantee the optimization of cargo throughputs in ports are removed. Government of Nigeria needs to engage in huge investments to expand the port infrastructures such as roads, adequate berthing facilities, wharves, yard capacity, quayside, railway, as well as expand the hinterland road network. These port infrastructures are the key stimuli for vessel turnaround time, effectiveness and efficiency in the port.