Plans are in place by the federal government to create an enabling environment for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), to facilitate the disposal of overtime cargoes at all the ports in the country.
The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, who disclosed this recently during a working visit to the NSC Headquarters in Lagos, added that it would enhance service delivery by the NSC.
In a press release issued by the Director (Press & PR), Henshaw Ogubike, Oyetola assured the Council that the government would look into their challenges and effect necessary reforms where needed for the success of the Blue Economy.
While commending the management of the Council for a good job, the minister decried the deplorable condition of the ports, saying “the rots and cracks in the ports infrastructure, over staying of cargoes at the ports, excesses of foreign fishing firms are discouraging”.
He said long bureaucratic processes are major factors responsible for elongated cargo clearance time, thereby frustrating shippers and leading to abandoning of their containers at ports.
The Minister stated that he would engage the leadership of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on the issue of abandoned cargoes at the ports in a bid to evacuate overtime cargoes and address other bottlenecks.
Speaking earlier, Executive Secretary of NSC, Emmanuel Jime, highlighted issues requiring urgent attention to include the amendment of NSC Act to institute effective port economic regulation.
Jime added that the NSC is a laboratory where policy making that drives the marine space is being regulated, adding that its objective is to ensure that Nigeria is the Maritime Hub in the sub-Western Region.
The NSC boss disclosed that the actualization of one-percent freight stabilization fee on import and export to Shippers Council as enshrined in the NSC Subsidiary Legislation; implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN); establishment of a National Fleet, among others are some of the issues bothering the Council.
He however, expressed his confidence in the new minister adding that he has displayed passion towards creating impact in the maritime sector.
