The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) have put forth attempt to carry out joint measures to limit delay and degenerate practices at the nation’s ports. This arose in Lagos during a functioning visit to the NIMASA central command by the Executive Secretary of NSC, Barr. Hassan Bello.
The two organizations of the Federal Government noticed that full mechanization of cycles at the country’s ports would go far to check human interface, postponements and debasement at the ports. NIMASA and the Nigerian Shippers Council hence consented to blend the execution of Port and Flag State Administration to limit human direct contact installed vessels, calling at the country’s ports in accordance with arrangements in the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM).
Both agencies of the Federal Government noted that full automation of processes at the nation’s ports would go a long way to curb human interface, delays and corruption at the ports.
NIMASA and the Nigerian Shippers Council thus agreed to harmonize the implementation of Port and Flag State Administration to minimise human direct contact onboard vessels, calling at the nation’s ports in line with provisions in the Nigerian Port Process Manual(NPPM).
According to the NSC Executive Secretary,the Ports are in competition with other Ports in the Region,so they need to strengthen collaboration on the establishment of indicative freight Rates.
“We thank you for obtaining approval for the cargo tracking note. This will reduce loss of man-hour and assist in exposing non-declaration or under declaration at the nation’s ports. Thus, improving revenue generation for the federal government,” he said.
Commenting on the Secure Anchorage Area, Dr. Jamoh noted that since the Deep Blue project took over security working closely with the Nigerian Navy, the nation has witnessed a reduction in the number of security breaches at the anchorage.
“We are beginning to record a reduction in attacks in our waters, and we hope to sustain this and later demand a change in status of cost of insurance of vessels visiting Nigerian waters.
On his part, Barrister Hassan Bello said that cost of Port operations in Nigeria could be reduced by over 35% when standard operation procedures contained in the Nigerian Port Process Manual were fully implemented.
The manuel launched by the Vice President,Yemi Osinbajo on December 9 last year in Abuja, during the 2020 International Anti-Corruption Day has a collection of processes taken from the Standard Operating Procedures of stakeholders in the port sector, and it aims to improve operations, service timelines, efficiency, and accountability at the ports.
