The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has revealed that 90% of port processes and operations at Nigerian ports are now automated, reducing human interface and it's attendant negative attributes considerably.
This was revealed by the Executive Secretary / Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Barr Pius Ukeyima Akutah in his goodwill message at a breakfast meeting organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) themed; Trade Facilitation and President Tinubu’s Economic Agenda: Matters Arising” in Lagos on Wednesday.
The Shippers Council boss who was represented at the meeting by Mrs Ogbonnaya Austina, an Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs of the Council assured that efforts are being made towards the development of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) across the country to facilitate the safety and security of cargoes in transit.
The executive Secretary also stated that, with the completion and operations of Inland Dry Ports of Dala, Funtua and Kaduna in Kano, Katsina and Kaduna states respectively, which were commissioned and designated as port of origin and final destination for inward and outward cargos, the shipping community in these inland locations are already witnessing the benefits of these facilities and the President’s directives that immediate steps be taken to complete and comm’ssion the remaining IDP projects are vigorously pursued.
He went further to reveal that the Nigeria Shippers’ Council is intensifying efforts to ameliorate the challenges faced by cross border traders at land border posts through the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs).
According to the ES, "this is being done in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Borderless Alliance (BA).
Four (4) BICs have been established at Seme-Krake border between Nigeria and Benin Republic; Jibia — Marradi border between Nigeria and Niger; Mfum-Ekot border between Nigeria and Cameroon and Illela-Bimin Koni border between Nigeria and Niger. Two (2) more BICs shall be established under the Council’s current strategic plan. Plans have reached advanced stages with regard to the establishment of a BIC at the Idiroko Border Post". “BICs are veritable facilities for gathering data on cross border trade for policy making as well as providing trade facilitating information to cross border stakeholders”, he stated.
Speaking on the theme of the meeting, the NSC boss said, “There is no doubt that this topic was carefully chosen to align with the Federal Government Renewed Hope Agenda to facilitate trade and bring prosperity to Nigerians.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR laid down 8-Point Agenda to revamp Nigeria economy which is tagged ‘Renewed Hope’. The President’s 8-Point Agenda are: Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth; Strengthen national security for peace and prosperity; Boost agriculture to achieve food security; Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development; Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; Focus on education, health and social investment as essential pillars of development; Improve governance, and fight corruption to ensure that economic growth is not endangered by corrupt practices.
“There is no doubt from the inception of the administration that the President meant business in the various sectors of the economy. Looking at the Maritime and Transport sectors, the President unbundled the Federal Ministry of Transportation into two ministries namely: the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy. “This is for effective service delivery and expansion of the revenue base of the economy".
Earlier in his welcome address, the President of MARAN, Mr. Godfrey Bivbere highlighted the significance of the breakfast meeting’s theme and the need for honest appraisals of President Tinubu’s economic agenda in relation to trade facilitation. While remarking that Port inefficiency is a factor in trade facilitation.
“The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) in 2023 reported that the Nigerian maritime sector is in crisis, with the country ranked near the bottom of the World Bank Ease of Doing Business indicators.
“MARAN found it disturbing that Togo topped the subregion in areas of modernization, efficient port trade cost, and vessels turnaround time.”
The president emphasized the importance of addressing the inefficiencies in Nigeria’s ports, which often lead to cargo divasion to neighbouring ports with more efficient services.
He called for a balanced approach to the administration’s policy directives, cautioning against disruptive short-term measures that could destabilize the fiscal and macroeconomic system.
The meeting, which was chaired by Comrade Moses Fadipe Olayemi, the founder and CEO of Skynet Trueway International Ltd was well attended by maritime stakeholder. Notable among the attendees are Mr. Lucky Eyis Amiwero, Dr. Albany Igwe, Dr Muda Yusuf Retired Deputy Controller of Customs, Alhaji Yahaya and a host of others.
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