The Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC) has raised the alarm that the country is loosing an estimated $9 billion for freight annually following its inability to operate in the international carriage of goods and wet cargos.
Its Executive Secretary, Barr Hassan Bello explained that $9 billion going to the foreign ship owners could have been earned by the Nigerian government and boost the economy.
At a one-day workshop for Association of Transport and Aviation Correspondent (ATACA) held in Abuja on Thursday, he stressed the need to have ships fly the National flag and also give Nigerians a sense of pride.
According to him, the country needs to see ship fly Nigerian flag. Its not rocket science , its not reinventing the wheel because this has happened .
Bello said that the National fleet would create employment and enhance the participation of indigenous companies and banks in this otherwise extremely lucrative area .
Pointing out that the cadets being trained may not have ships to operates and the talk about gender sensitivity in sea fearers may not be realized without having a National fleets
He further disclosed plans by the Council to restore Cargo Tracking Note which has been a source of revenue and security to Nigeria explaining that it is an electronic device that would help know the quality, weight and origin of what is coming into the country.
According to him, it would help deal with the issue of smuggling and the importation of fire arms as they would be able to track the ships from the port of loading till it berth in the Nigerian waters
“Its a security document . If you know what’s coming, you are already prepared that this is what is coming to Nigeria and so we make adequate preparation so there will be less dwell time of cargo at the sea.”
“80%of the goods are under declared and some are concealed but with the cargo tracking note, there is no hiding place,” he said.
