The Governing Board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has intensified its engagement with key port service providers, visiting CMA CGM and APM Terminals in Apapa, Lagos, with a call for enhanced efficiency to drive Nigeria’s economic growth.
Chairman of the NSC Governing Board, Ibrahim Shehu Shema, stated that sustained collaboration with industry operators is critical to unlocking development opportunities within the nation’s ports. He spoke during a courtesy visit led by the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Pius Akutah, alongside board members and management.
Shema подчеркнул that service providers play a vital role in achieving the Federal Government’s one-trillion-dollar economy target, stressing the need for improved operational efficiency across the port value chain.
He urged terminal operators to prioritize and fast-track the clearance of power-related projects, warning that delays could negatively impact critical investments in Nigeria’s electricity sector. According to him, efficient port operations are essential for the timely delivery of infrastructure components, particularly those tied to power generation, transmission, and distribution.
The NSC Chairman further noted that persistent cargo clearance bottlenecks could undermine government efforts to enhance electricity supply, emphasizing that adherence to project timelines depends largely on seamless logistics.
He called for stronger policy coordination among stakeholders, adding that improved efficiency would not only boost trade volumes but also increase government revenue.
In his remarks, Akutah commended the operators for ongoing modernization initiatives, noting improvements in cargo handling and vessel turnaround time. He also highlighted significant growth in export volumes, with some operators recording increases of up to 30 percent—an indication, he said, that Nigeria is gradually achieving a more balanced trade mix.
The NSC boss explained that the visits were part of the Council’s oversight function to assess service delivery standards among shipping companies and terminal operators.
Responding, the Managing Director of CMA CGM, Hinelder Ferreira, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to efficient service delivery through digitalized processes.
Similarly, the Managing Director of APM Terminals, Kamal Alhraishat, outlined the company’s long-term investment strategy, attributing its operational milestones to sustained digitalization and continuous upgrades.
