Automation, fair pricing system, timely dispute resolution vital keys for new port order—Nigerian Shippers‘ Council
Mr
Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers‘ Council(NSC) says the idea of a new port order will only
succeed with automation, fair price system, timely and amicable dispute
settlements and easy access to the ports.
Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers‘ Council(NSC) says the idea of a new port order will only
succeed with automation, fair price system, timely and amicable dispute
settlements and easy access to the ports.
Represented
by one of the directors , Mrs A.
Adeagbo, Bello made the remark in his
keynote address at a one-day stakeholders seminar held on Wednesday by the
Shippers‘ Association of Lagos State in collaboration with the NSC.
by one of the directors , Mrs A.
Adeagbo, Bello made the remark in his
keynote address at a one-day stakeholders seminar held on Wednesday by the
Shippers‘ Association of Lagos State in collaboration with the NSC.
He
noted that such system would eliminate corruption and reduce the problem of
demurrage and human traffic at the ports to the barest minimum.
noted that such system would eliminate corruption and reduce the problem of
demurrage and human traffic at the ports to the barest minimum.
The
executive secretary said that a proper legal framework must be put in place for the council to
maximise its capacity as port economic regulator in the walk towards a
new port order,
executive secretary said that a proper legal framework must be put in place for the council to
maximise its capacity as port economic regulator in the walk towards a
new port order,
Bello
said the regulator must continue to work with the stakeholders to achieve the
desired transformation of the industry.
said the regulator must continue to work with the stakeholders to achieve the
desired transformation of the industry.
“Upon
appointment as port economic regulator, the council held series of
consultations with several stakeholders including shipping companies and
government agencies.
appointment as port economic regulator, the council held series of
consultations with several stakeholders including shipping companies and
government agencies.
“The
council must continue to work with them to identify problems and areas which
must be prioritized to facilitate the speedy transformation of our ports in
accordance with global standards,” he said.
council must continue to work with them to identify problems and areas which
must be prioritized to facilitate the speedy transformation of our ports in
accordance with global standards,” he said.
In
his speech, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi, Director
General of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) said ports non compliant with the International
Ships and Ports Facility Security(ISPS)Code risked being shut down.
his speech, Mr Ziakede Akpobolokemi, Director
General of the Nigerian Maritime
Administration and Safety Agency(NIMASA) said ports non compliant with the International
Ships and Ports Facility Security(ISPS)Code risked being shut down.
Represented by Mr Ibrahim Jibril, a director at the agency, the Director
General said it was important that the forum looked into the issue of
accessibility of the port roads as the seminar centred on ‘working towards a new
port order.’
“This
forum should take a close look at the port access roads because it has done
lots of damage.
forum should take a close look at the port access roads because it has done
lots of damage.
“But,
I believe that with the efforts of the NPA and the railway on the inter-modal
plan a lot will be achieved, ” he said.
I believe that with the efforts of the NPA and the railway on the inter-modal
plan a lot will be achieved, ” he said.
Akpobolokemi,
however, disclosed that although the
major ports were ISPS-compliant, only 49 of the nation’s 129 ports representing
28 per cent, were compliant.
however, disclosed that although the
major ports were ISPS-compliant, only 49 of the nation’s 129 ports representing
28 per cent, were compliant.
Also
speaking at the event, Comptroller Charles Edike, in charge of the Apapa Area
Command, Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) said the customs had been supporting port
improvement through dynamism of its operations.
speaking at the event, Comptroller Charles Edike, in charge of the Apapa Area
Command, Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) said the customs had been supporting port
improvement through dynamism of its operations.
He
said his command had so far transferred 40,000 containers to other places like
the Lilypond off-dock terminal and the kirikiri Lighter Terminal to avoid
pressure at one point while other places had less to handle.
said his command had so far transferred 40,000 containers to other places like
the Lilypond off-dock terminal and the kirikiri Lighter Terminal to avoid
pressure at one point while other places had less to handle.
“We
have transferred about 40,000 containers to other paces, for purpose of
avoiding tension and allowing other areas to work too.
” This strategy is to facilitate trade and boost the shippers’
business,” he said.
have transferred about 40,000 containers to other paces, for purpose of
avoiding tension and allowing other areas to work too.
” This strategy is to facilitate trade and boost the shippers’
business,” he said.
Giving
his vies on what is expected to achieve a new port order, Major Henry
Ajetumobi, vice-chairman of the Nigeria Port Consultative Council, said the
solution lied on cost operation reduction, enhanced security, sustained
competitiveness among others.
his vies on what is expected to achieve a new port order, Major Henry
Ajetumobi, vice-chairman of the Nigeria Port Consultative Council, said the
solution lied on cost operation reduction, enhanced security, sustained
competitiveness among others.
President
of the Shippers’ Association Lagos State, Rev. Jonathan Nicol, said achieving
the new port order would involve improvement of port access roads, building of
truck terminals, 48hours cargo clearance possibility among other factors to be
met.
of the Shippers’ Association Lagos State, Rev. Jonathan Nicol, said achieving
the new port order would involve improvement of port access roads, building of
truck terminals, 48hours cargo clearance possibility among other factors to be
met.
