The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, on Wednesday reported that over 90 percent of port processes and operations are now automated, reducing considerably human interactions and all its negative attributes at the Nigerian ports.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of the Council, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah who disclosed this in his goodwill message at the Breakfast Meeting put together by the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria, MARAN in Lagos today with the theme, “Trade Facilitation and President Tinubu’s Economic Agenda: Matters Arising”, assured that NSC would continue to promote and advocate the digitalization of Nigerian port process and operations in consonance with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Akutah who was represented at the event by the Assistant Director, Consumer Affairs, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Ogbonnaya Austina, while reeling out efforts of the Council to facilitate trade, recalled that the Dala, Funtua and Kaduna Inland Dry Ports in Kano, Katsina and Kaduna states respectively were operational, having been commissioned and designated as port of origin and final destination for inward and outward cargo respectively.
“The shipping community in these inland locations are already taking the benefits of these facilities in the conduct of their businesses.
“The President’s directives that immediate steps be taken to complete and commission the remaining legacy IDP projects are pursued with vigor. Similarly, efforts are being geared to the development of Vehicle Transit Areas, VTAs across the country to facilitate the safety and security of cargo in transit”, he said.
He assured that the Ngerian Shippers’ Council was intensifying efforts to ameliorate the challenges faced by cross border traders at land border posts by the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs) which according to him, was being done in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development, USAID, and Borderless Alliance, BA.
“Four (4) BICs have been established at Seme-Krake border between Nigeria and Benin Republic; Jibia — Marradi border between Nigeria and Niger; Mfum-Ekot border between Nigeria and Cameroon and Illela-Bimin Koni border between Nigeria and Niger. Two (2) more BICs shall be established under the Council’s current strategic plan. Plans have reached advanced stages with regard to the establishment of a BIC at the Idiroko Border Post.
“BICs are veritable facilities for gathering data on cross border trade for policy making as well as providing trade facilitating information to cross border stakeholders”, he stated.
Speaking on the theme of the meeting, the NSC boss said, “There is no doubt that this topic was carefully chosen to align with the Federal Government Renewed Hope Agenda to facilitate trade and bring prosperity to Nigerians.
“The administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR laid down 8-Point Agenda to revamp Nigeria economy which is tagged ‘Renewed Hope’. The President’s 8-Point Agenda are: Reform the economy to deliver sustained inclusive growth; Strengthen national security for peace and prosperity; Boost agriculture to achieve food security; Unlock energy and natural resources for sustainable development; Enhance infrastructure and transportation as enablers of growth; Focus on education, health and social investment as essential pillars of development; Improve governance, and fight corruption to ensure that economic growth is not endangered by corrupt practices.
“There is no doubt from the inception of the administration that the President meant business in the various sectors of the economy. Looking at the Maritime and Transport sectors, the President unbundled the Federal Ministry of Transportation into two ministries namely: the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
“This is for effective service delivery and expansion of the revenue base of the economy.”
While noting that the Council would continue to promote and support establishment of port and transport infrastructure in order to facilitate both domestic and international trade, he added, “We assure MARAN that the Council will continue to partner on facilitate trade and other related activities.
Photo: Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
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