The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has called on Eastern State Governments to support the development of Truck Transit Park (TTP) for the growth of the nation’s maritime industry.
The Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, who was represented by the Director Inland Trade Services, Mr. Akintunde Makinde made the call during a presentation at the annual lecture series of the Onitsha Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ONICCIMA) titled ‘The Perspective’ held recently in Onitsha Anambra state.
In the presentation with theme: “Sustenance of Nigeria’s Economic growth through port reforms: The Case of Onitsha Ports”, he submitted that Truck Transit Park (TTP) was instrumental to the development of the nation’s maritime industry.
This, according to him, would help in the creation of employment opportunities and related socio-economic services, improve Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) for state governments and also improve transit trade with land locked neighbouring countries.
Similarly he said, the Truck Transit Park, a modern state-of-the art facility situated off the busy highways was designed to provide temporary rest where truck drivers would conveniently park their vehicles in a healthy environment, get accommodation, fuel, food, rest rooms and even service their vehicles.
“The NSC as Economic Port Regulator is to consult, coordinate, moderate, and harmonize the various processes and procedures with a view to achieving best practices”, he further added.
He stressed that the important place occupied by the Eastern Zone in Nigeria’s International Trade cannot be over emphasised, hence, NSC would continue to view the zone as one of its viable partner in the business of Shipping and International Trade.
He said port reforms no doubt held a lot of benefits to the national economy and that of the South-East in particular, in view of the zones stake in the sector.
His words, “We shall remain open, independent, neutral and consultative while all our decisions will be based on the buy-in of stakeholders at all times. I want to place on record the fact that NSC views the actualization of the Inland Dry Ports (IDP), Container Freight Station (CFS), Truck Transit Park (TTP), and the River Port projects as of paramount importance to the advancement of the economy of the South-East Zone. Hence, we will not relent in all our efforts towards ensuring their realization in the nearest future. To achieve these, our goals, we need your support to weather the storm in all our endeavours”.
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