Against the background of consistent complaints of high cost of doing business at the ports, stakeholders are to meet at a summit to discuss appropriate pricing system as a way forward.
The summit which is being organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), will seek to come up with a pricing system that will ensure equity and fairness to all operators.
The all inclusive parley is coming barely two months after the Nigerian Shippers’ Council was appointed by the federal government to act as commercial regulator of the port.
Prominent stakeholders expected to speak at the summit include the Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar, and the Senior Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on maritime, Mr.LekeOyewole.
Head of Maritime parastatals expected to speak at the event also include: the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, and the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority, MallamHabibAbdullahi.
The summit titled “Pre-requisites for a Fair Port Pricing Regime: Shippers Perspective” is expected to hold on 5th of May in Lagos.
According to the Chairman of the organizing committee, Mr.KayodeAtofolaki, summit participants will include seaport and off dock terminal operators, freight forwarding associations, shipping companies, Nigeria Customs Service, importers and exporters.
