…Commits to actualizing National Transport Commission
In his quest to familiarize himself with the major stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry, the newly appointed Executive Secretary/ CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hon. Emmanuel Jime, yesterday met and interacted with the various freight forwarding associations where unfolded his plans for the industry and equally seek their support to enable him succeed in his assignment at the Council.
The meeting which held at the Headquarters of the Council in Lagos had in attendance the leaderships of the various freight forwarding associations including the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN), the Nigerian Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators (NAFFAC) as well as the African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON).
Speaking during the meeting, Hon. Jime started by appreciating the freight forwarders for the roles that they had played in the past in supporting all the previous administrations that were there before him even as he further appreciated them for creating time from their busy schedules to attend the meeting.
He acknowledged the fact that it was partly due to their strong support and advocacy that it became possible for the Shippers’ Council’s mandate to be expanded so that it now play the role that it is playing as the port economic regulator adding “you played an important role in that regard and I acknowledge you and I want to say thank you very much.”
He noted that the National Transport Commission (NTC) bill which according to him was before the Presidency wouldn’t have gotten that far if not for the support and advocacy of the freight forwarders even as he added that “I think that it is in recognition of how important that particular instrument is in order to assist in the way that we do business at the port that you have risen in one voice together to partner with this Council in order to support the promotion of that legislation.”
He continued, “As you know, we are still in the process of ensuring that that legislation sees the light of the day. We are not there yet but I can give you one assurance, that if it is one of the very important legacies that I hope to bring about its fruition in the time of my tenure, then, you can be rest assured that we will drive it with all the commitment that is required in order to get that legislation in place. So, thank you again for your support.
“Strengthening of our regulatory environment – it is actually in connection, really, to the instrument that I said we are promoting before the federal government. In other words, the bill that is before the Presidency. That ultimately will strengthen the regulatory framework of the sector generally. So, this, I think, is a key element of the activities that we have been undertaking which again is an activity we intend to continue. There is need for us to have improved stakeholders’ relationships, this is part of it.”
The Executive Secretary observed that as port economic regulator, the Council intended to promote and protect the interest of every stakeholder in the industry saying that would hold sway in the Council under him.
“So, we will be fair, we will be unbiased and we will make sure that there will also be clarity in our maritime industry because that in the end is what will promote the efficiency in the service delivery that we all yearn for. So, as economic port regulator, we understand clearly that that is the mandate that we have but we also recognize that there is no way we are able to achieve anything unless, of course, we have the support and partnership of groups such as you. So, I ask you this morning, are you going to be kind supportive partners as you have been to my predecessors in office? Will you please be my partners in this journey? I offer you partnership, I will like to hope that in the same vein, you will see me as one of you and as one person that if you support, together, we can achieve a lot as far as our maritime space is concerned.
“I said earlier that you occupy a unique position; my recognition of you in that unique position is that in one hand, you are representatives of providers of shipping services and then, on the other hand, you also are providers of shipping services. This is central, it makes you unique, it means that we need you and you need us in order for both of us to achieve our goals. So, this morning, as your JJC Executive Secretary, I again offer you that hand of fellowship. I am a JJC, yes, as you can see but I am only going to be very effective ES/CEO because I think I am going to have the support of the partnership of groups such as yours. That is why this morning, it very important for me that I come forward so that we can have this quick engagement.”
Reacting to comments by the Executive Secretary, NSC, the President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Otunba Frank Ogunojemite while welcoming the new ES, urged him to take steps to ensure that the Shippers’ Council was represented in the ongoing review of the concession agreement with the terminal operators operating at the nation’s seaports so as to avoid the previous mistake of the past where the Council was excluded with its consequences in the port operations.
He further urged him to take steps to get the shipping and terminal operators to obey the directive of the federal government to waive monies that accrued as demurrage during the lockdown period occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic which according to him, they flagrantly disobeyed thereby forcing Nigerians to loose large sums of money in capital flight.
The APFFLON President begged the Shippers’ Council to tackle arbitrary charges by shipping and terminal operators and work on curbing inter agency rivalry among the government agencies operating at the nation’s seaport following in the footsteps of his predecessor, Barr. Hassan Bello.
Photo 1: Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, President, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) and the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hon. Emmanuel Jime exchange pleasantries shortly after the meeting with freight forwarders at the Council’s Headquarters in Lagos yesterday.
Photo 2: Hon. Emmanuel Jime (Centre) in a group photograph with leadership of the freight forwarding associations shortly shortly after the meeting with freight forwarders at the Council’s Headquarters in Lagos yesterday.
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