The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) holds a sensitization seminar in Rivers State during which it solicited for stakeholders’ support on cost of doing business
By Jude Nzennaya
As issue of high cost of doing business in Nigeria, especially at the maritime domain continues to bother operators, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Wednesday, February 26 organised a one-day seminar, calling on all stakeholders to support the Council tackle the challenge.
Addressing the participants at the event in Onne, Rivers State, the Executive Secretary (ES) of Nigerian Shippers Council, Mr Pius Akutah tasked the stakeholders to be part of the crusade to achieve ease of doing business in Nigeria, in line with the Federal Government’s vision on the matter.
Represented by the Zonal Director, South South, Mrs Ify Okolue, the Executive Secretary emphasized the need for a strategic alliance between the Nigerian Shippers Council and other Federal Government Regulatory Agencies for efficient service delivery at the ports, pointing out that the seminar was in line with that vision.
Speaking on the theme of the workshop, “Understanding the Functions of Regulatory Agencies in Nigeria Port System”, Mr Akutah said it is important that Government Agencies collaborate in the interest of the country for efficient service delivery at the ports.
“Our gathering today underscores the responsiveness and commitment of the Council to address the concerns raised by stakeholders or Port Service Providers and Users regarding the roles of some Regulatory Agencies in the port system,” the Executive Secretary said.
He added that the Federal Government’s efforts in developing a comprehensive roadmap through the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, headed by Mr Adegboyega Oyetola is to make Nigeria a hub within the West and Central Africa through port efficiency.
He expressed confidence that the participants will gain knowledge on the various functions of the agencies.
The Executive Secretary stressed that as the Port Economic Regulator, NSC will always protect the interest of port stakeholders.
He said the essence of the seminar is for stakeholders to get acquainted with the roles of the Regulatory Agencies in order not to default in the law, noting that their compliance will “engender smooth port operations, seamless cargo clearance processes, reduction in frequency of trade disputes and enhance conflict resolutions”.
The ES equally informed the gathering that Nigerian Shippers Council is in the verge of transiting into Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) and that the law is before the President for his assent, having been passed by the National Assembly.
“We therefore wish to use this opportunity to assure our entire stakeholders that when the bill is eventually passed into law, the nation’s ports will witness a new direction in terms of operational efficiency, transparency and tremendous reduction in cost of doing business at the ports. We therefore solicit your support in this direction,” the Executive Secretary said.
In his goodwill message, the Principal Manager M&RS, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr Lucky Ainabor who represented the Onne Port Manager said the major role of NPA is to coordinate the agencies in the port as landlord, noting that about 26 concessionaires have been engaged to manage the terminals at the ports across the country.
He said the Federal agencies at the ports are meant to ensure seamless inspection of cargoes, assuring that NPA does not condone stationery trucks at the port for any reason.
On their separate speeches, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) represented by DC Odedeji and DC Dayo Popoola respectively highlighted their key functions to include revenue generation and regulation of immigrants, assuring that they would continue to deliver on their mandate to grow Nigerian economy.
The Nigerian Maritime administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) had earlier through its Principal Chief Development Shipping Officer, Dr Agava Lebari made presentation on the role of the agency in the economic development of the country.
The Zonal Director of NSC, South South, Mrs Ify Okolue also made presentation on the theme of the seminar,” Understanding the Regulatory Mandate of Nigerian Shippers Council in the Nigerian Port System”.
The event featured question and answer session, where participants bared their minds on issues bothering their operations, which the Federal Agencies did justice to.
