For Seaports in Nigeria to attain sustainable growth and development, there is the urgent need for the Federal Government to implement existing laws, provide adequate infrastructure and streamline cargo clearance operations and procedure.
Speaking in Lagos on Wednesday at the maiden edition of a dialogue series tagged: Town hall meeting on cargo handling and port charges held at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Victoria Island, Lagos, stakeholders called on the Government to make Nigerian Seaports attractive for business transactions.
Organised by the Publishers of Business & Maritime West Africa, the forum was attended by stakeholders from both public and private sectors of the maritime industry, including various government agencies, private investors and operators, and the organised private sector groups, among others.
In his presentation at the event, Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, represented by represented by Mrs Ifeora Celine, an Assistant Director, urged stakeholders to always speak with one voice in the interest of the sector and the larger economy.
The Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Ms Hadiza Usman, who was represented by the General Manager, Marine and Operations, Mr Joshua Asanga, told the audience that concessioning brought tremendous improvement in Seaport development.
According to Usman, the concessioning regime had shaped the business attitude of Nigerians, especially in the maritime sector.
Participants also called on the Federal Government to facilitate and adopt single window as part of measures to streamline cargo clearance at the nation’s Seaports.
Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Dr Dakuku Peterside, who was represented by Director, Shipping Development of NIMASA, Mr Anthony Ogadi, pledged the commitment of the Agency to sustain security along the nation’s waterways.
At the end of the one-day forum, participants recommended need for regular stakeholders meetings where issues affecting the industry will be discussed
Participants also recommended stop to legal hostilities between the Seaport operators and the Nigerian Shippers’ council, adding that there is the urgent need to checkmate extortion and other corruption tendencies.
