The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has launched an online registration user guide for operators and shippers in Eastern ports.
According to NSC, the development would tackle insecurity and return total sanity as well as full operations in the Eastern ports.
Launching the Online Portal for the Registration of Regulated Port Service Providers and Users in Port Harcourt, the Council stated that the process would return sanity in the ports and ensure the ease of doing business in the area.
Speaking, Chief Cajetan Agu, the Director in Charge of Consumers Affairs, NSC, noted that it is the first of its kind in the zone, adding that the digital innovation is to ensure trust in the shipping activities at the ports.
Agu, who represented the Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Emmanuel Jime, pointed out that insecurity is one of the challenges confronting operations at the Eastern ports, adding that the innovation would provide means of tackling it.
According to him, the user guide is to demonstrate a move away from manual registration to online platforms, adding that it is going to reduce time and cost.
“It will also make it easier for stakeholders. It will help us know the people who are customers, shippers, and operators accessing the port. It will assist to give out information.”
He stated that registration of the operators will bring sanity to Eastern ports, saying that if you don’t know the people that are operating in a particular area you cannot manage them.
In his words: “The issues of security are there. When you don’t know anybody security is compromised, but when you know the people, security is guaranteed. With this, we can profile
people and know who is doing what in the Port.”
He, however, advised those operating and doing business within the Eastern ports to register themselves so they can operate freely.
The Director of NSC, South-South Zone, Glory Onojedo, in his speech, disclosed that access into the ports earlier lacked control, adding that the operators and the zone are happy with the move.
“The registration means so much to us in this zone. If you look at the ports in the Eastern zone particularly, area 1 Port and Onne, access into the ports lacks effective control.
“As it is now registrations will control access into the port. Most important is the fact that when you register on this portal as a service provider or user, it gives some level of integrity to your business. It will aid the ease of doing business.”
