… pledges facilitation of trade through infrastructure
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reported that over 90 per cent of port processes and operations are currently automated reducing considerably human interactions and its entire negative attributes.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Barrister Pius Akutah, announced this while delivering his address at the third quarter breakfast meeting of the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) held on Wednesday in Apapa, Lagos.
He recalled that in line with the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, laid down 8-Point Agenda to revamp Nigeria economy which is tagged ‘Renewed Hope’, the President unbundled the Federal Ministry of Transportation into two ministries namely the Ministry of Transportation and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy for effective service delivery and expansion of the revenue base of the economy.
“In consonance with the government aspirations, the Nigerian Shippers Council continues to promote and advocate the digitalisation of Nigerian port process and operations.
“We are happy to report that over 90 per cent of port processes and operations are now automated reducing considerably human interactions and its entire negative attributes,” he disclosed.
He also affirmed that the Dala, Funtua and Kaduna Inland Dry Ports in Kano, Katsina and Kaduna states respectively are operational, having been commissioned and designated as port of origin and final destination for inward and outward cargo respectively.
Akutah noted that the shipping community in these inland locations is already taking the benefits of these facilities in the conduct of their businesses.
Continuing, he assured that the President’s directives that immediate steps be taken to complete and commission the remaining legacy IDP projects are pursuits with vigour, adding that similarly, efforts are being geared to the development of Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) across the country to facilitate the safety and security of cargo in transit.
However, he stated that there are challenges, saying that he NSC is intensifying efforts to ameliorate the challenges faced by cross border traders at land border posts by the establishment of Border Information Centres (BICs).
Carried out in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID), and Borderless Alliance (BA), the NSC boss announced that four BICs have been established Seme-Krake border between Nigeria and Benin Republic, Jibia-Marradi border between Nigeria and Niger, Mfum-Ekot border between Nigeria and Cameroon and Illela-Bimin Koni border between Nigeria and Niger.
He said that two more BICs shall be established under the Council’s current strategic plan, adding that plans have reached advanced stages with regard to the establishment of a BIC at the Idiroko border Post.
“BICs are veritable facilities for gathering data on cross border trade for policy making as well as providing trade facilitating information to cross border stakeholders,” he pointed out.
Akutah pledged that the Council will continue to promote and support establishment of port and transport infrastructure in order to facilitate both domestic and international trade.