By Moses Ebosele, ebosele@hotmail.com —
AS part of measures to boost capacity and efficiency, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) between June 2021 and June 2022, trained no fewer than 501 staff.
Speaking at an interactive session with Journalists on Tuesday in Lagos, Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Emmanuel Jime explained that 228 staff were trained between June to December, 2021 while 221 benefited from the exercise in the first quarter of 2022.
Jime, who assumed office in June, 2021 explained that the Council in 2021 received and handled 518 complaints, while in the first quarter of 2022, 100 complaints were received and handled.
Explaining further, Jime said: “The Council in 2021 was able to recover the sum of N1, 072, 008, 040.90 (One billion seventy two million eight thousand and forty naira, ninety kobo) while in the first quarter of 2022, stakeholders were saved of the sum of N18, 493, 961.70k (Eighteen million four hundred and ninety three thousand nine hundred and sixty-one naira seventy kobo). “The Council is currently working on compilation and analysis of complaints handled in the second quarter of year 2022”.
Accompanied by senior management staff, Jime disclosed also disclosed that this year’s edition of the International Maritime Seminar for Judges is scheduled to hold at the Abuja Sheraton Hotel and Towers from Tuesday 5th – Thursday 7th July, 2022.
According to Jime, the Council has also signed Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to institute a consumer protection regime for the shipping and port industry.
“We have concluded arrangements for the inauguration of a joint committee that will drive the implementation of the MoU,” Jime added.
Making reference to the signing of MoU with Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on the operations of Inland Dry Ports in Nigeria, Jime said: “We are closely working with NCS to inaugurate the implementation committee”.
The NSC boss who spoke on sundry issues said:”As we all know, seaborne trade accounts for over 80% of International trade when measured in volume and over 70% when measured in value.
“Though the Nigerian Maritime Sector has its own peculiarities and limitations, her important role to the nation’s economy cannot be over emphasized.
“Maritime transportation accounts for about 95% in the carriage of Nigeria’s international trade.
“However, due to a number of challenges, Nigeria has been unable to fully harness the potentials of the sector. “Consequently, it is appropriate to note that Nigeria needs an effective maritime transportation in order to enjoy accruable revenue and benefits of this sector.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council as port economic regulator has been playing critical roles to ensure effectiveness and efficiency of the sector, through cost moderation, ensuring compliance with provisions of Port Concession Agreements, promotion of critical Transport Infrastructure, etc.
“The task, though enormous, the Council has been able to record some successes.
“These successes were achieved through collaboration and consultation with critical stakeholders in the industry, particularly the providers and users of shipping service.
“Some of the successes recorded thus far since my assumption of duty last year, includes the following:
Supervision of the activities of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) in the implementation of the Nigerian Ports Process Manual. The activities of the PSTT focused on three (3) cardinal areas, which are;
Joint Vessel Boarding
Joint Cargo Examination &
Operation free port access roads
“On joint vessel boarding by mandated government agencies, the activities of the team saved the Nigerian economy an average vessel demurrage of $20, 000 per day between year 2020 and 2021, which ultimately translates to the sum of $6, 540, 000 (N3, 270, 000, 000.00k).
“Likewise, the average time for resolving complaints with regards to vessel infractions has also considerably reduced from 7-10 days to 1 – 4 hours.
“More than 85% of vessels that called at Nigerian Ports in 2021 left without any incident, which was not the case in time past.
“On the other hand as regards Compliance with Joint Cargo Examination by all government agencies involved in cargo clearance, the exercise has helped to increase the number of cargos examined per day from 125 to an average of 230 boxes daily per terminal.
“In summary, the implementation of the Manual has facilitated the ease of doing business in our ports and it has drastically reduced corruption tendencies”.
Jime disclosed that 12 Domestic Export Warehouses nationwide have been approved for commencement of operations.
He explained that some of the facilities granted approval to begin operations included; GEZEWA Commodity Exchange in Kano, MV EHILOMEL , Onne in Rivers State, ESSLIBRA in Ikorodu-Lagos State, Harris Logistics in Lokoja-Kogi State, Sealink Limited in Ajaokuta – Kogi State, Kaduna Inland Dry Port in Kaduna State, AMES-Edo Inland dry Port in Benin-Edo State, “95% Completion of the Dala Inland Dry Port in preparation for official commissioning and commencement of operations in July, 2022”.
According to Jime, other achievements attained in the last one year include:
85% Completion of the Funtua Inland Dry Port in preparation for its official commissioning later in the year.
Facilitation and supervision of the handover of the Heipang-Jos Inland Dry Port Project to Plateau Investment and Property Development Company (PIPC) to ensure the completion and commissioning of the project later in the year.
Facilitation of full automation of port processes and activities.
Facilitated industrial harmony through Council’s intervention during disputes involving Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN), Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and Shipping Companies.
Promoting the establishment of an International Maritime Resource Centre in Jos.
Collaborating with Adamawa State Government on the establishment of Vehicle Transit Areas and Border Information Centre in Adamawa.
Periodic visits to Shipping Companies and Terminal Operators to ensure compliance with Council’s regulatory mandate.
Enhanced capacity building for staff to ensure sustained productivity.
