The Minister of Transportation, Rt. Hon. Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi, has called on all stakeholders in the maritime industry to come up with suggestions that would move the maritime sector forward in terms of efficiency and revenue generation.
Amaechi made the call at the conference held with maritime stakeholders at Eko Hotel Lagos on Monday.
The Minister informed stakeholders that the present administration was in for a total reform of the economy adding that he had promised the President that the maritime sector would contribute substantially to the Nigerian Economy.
Issues that dominated the session include the implementation of the concession agreement, midstream discharge operations, private jetties matters and handling of oil and gas cargoes.
The forum provided opportunities for stakeholders to bare their minds on issues that can hinder or enhance efficient ports operations.
On private jetties, it was stated that all ocean going vessels should not berth at private jetties, but go to Customs direct call ports.
The Minister stressed the need for all private jetty owners and operators to obey the law.
On the issues of pilotage, the Minister assured the forum that Government would review the entire process, including the revenue being generated.
He directed all concessionaires who claimed their rights were being breached by some agencies to come up with document to support such claims.
The Minister further asserted that agreements must be respected because, according to him, it was the tonic for investment.
On the concession of the Port Terminal, the Minister observed that the idea was to create competition on a level playing ground to stimulate efficiency and competitive price.
According to the Minister, the Nigerian Ports need expansion in response to meeting transport demand so that they could compete with other ports in the sub region.
The Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mallam Habib Abdullahi was quick to point out that even though there was need to review the concession program, it had led to improved ports operations and revenue generation.
Mallam Habib Abdullahi also noted that the concessionaires have developed the ports in terms of infrastructures.
On the dredging of the Escravors channels in Delta Ports, the Managing Director of NPA said this would soon take off as consultancy services had been commissioned.
Mr. Obumnene Onuenyenwa, former General Manager, Eastern Ports , spoke on trade facilitation and wealth creation in the Maritime Industry and emphasized the need for the resuscitation and expansion of rail lines to areas where mineral resources were available so that they could be moved and processed for exports.
The forum pointed out that the percentages of cargo discharge at the nationss Seaports were very low, as cargo handling equipment was not sufficient.
While the forum stressed the need for further improvements of common user facilities at the ports, it also emphasized the modernization and automation processes as introduced by the Nigerian Ports Authority.
Among the dignitaries present at the forum were Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, the Director of Maritime Services, Federal Ministry of Transport, Alhaji Sani Galandanchi, Director Legal Services Federal Ministry of Transport, Mrs. Ijeoma Okoro, Executive Director Marine and Operations NPA, Engineer David Omonibeke and Arc. Mohammed Saleh, NPA Executive Director Engineering and Technical Services.
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