The President of the Shippers’ Association Lagos State (SALS), Rev. Jonathan Nicol is proposing a New Port Order that would clean up the harsh business terrain and replace it with a well coordinated and regulated method of Maritime administration in Nigeria.
Rev. Nicol made this known when the association and some staff of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) paid a courtesy visit to Nigerite Limited, Ikeja, Lagos.
According to Nicol, “our visit here is to familiarize with your factory and give you the necessary support in dealing with the perennial cargo clearing bottlenecks”.
While giving a brief history on how Shippers’ Association evolved in Nigeria, Nicol Said “its in compliance with the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development Cotonou Round Table II in 1997, Shippers’ Councils around the world were asked to set up Shippers’ Associations. The Shippers’ Association of Lagos State was registered by the Corporate Affairs Commission in line with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act, Section 3C which mandates the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to encourage the formation of Shippers’ Associations”.
He noted that the Primary Objective of the NSC was to carter for Shippers, discuss and control Freight prices and other auxiliaries which negate International best practices, Control transportation costs, Discuss and suggest reasonable approach to the Government on best ways to facilitate cargo clearance with minimal costs.
The Rev. Who however did not leave any stone unturned, equally congratulated NSC for all its contribution towards the growth of the maritime industry, and stress that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council was officially upgraded as the Economic Port Regulator which again brings a greater appreciation of Government’s effort to control the excesses of the Shipping/Terminal Operators’ activities.
Speaking on behalf of the NSC, the Assistant Director, Inland Transport Services, Alh. Ahmed Yazah.
said federal government through the NSC was working towards vigorously in making sure that the major challenges in the port were resolved and put to an end stating that the present traffic situation would soon be a thing of the past.
In his response, the Managing Director of Nigerite Limited, Frank Le Bris who warmly receive the SALS executive and NSC expressed joy and satisfaction while urging the federal government to look into the area of the exportation of commodities.
Le bris added that, “We are not encourage to export goods outside Nigeria.”
Also visited was the Airport Command of the Nigerian Customs Service,
