EconomyHeadlinesMaritime Business Bello promises 35 percent reduction in shipping costs. – accuses NPA of adding to cost of transactions at port. By maritimemag September 13, 2019 ShareTweet 0 Segun Oladipupo | The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council, Barrister Hassan Bello, has flayed the conduct of the Nigerian Ports Authority(NPA) for adding to the shipping costs at the ports through its charges . This was as he announced a respite for importers and other stakeholders doing business in the port that there would be a 35 percent reduction in shipping costs in October. He said this at the third maritime stakeholders interactive forum held in Lagos, Thursday. He said this while informing the minister of Transportation, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi that the operating environment is harsh for private sector operators. He added that the high cost of doing business in Nigeria has made importers to relocate their cargoes to neighbouring countries. He therefore called on the federal government to create an enabling environment for private sector operators as well as reduce cost so that Nigeria can have a comparative advantage. In the same vein, Bello enjoined sea terminal operators to tow the line of shipping agencies by reviewing their own costs and bring it down to make the port competitive with other African countries. Hassan said, “Cost is driving cargoes out of Nigeria. We have to have comparative advantage because we are equally competing with the ports in neighbouring countries “We have negotiated with the shipping companies and thirty five percent of the costs will disappear by next month. “I am also appealing to terminal operators to also come up and discuss the cost and see what can be done. “The government owes responsibility to private sector to create a conducive atmosphere for their operations. “The operating environment in Nigeria is a little bit harsh and I am being honest about it. “We need also to check the excesses of government agencies especially their charges. “NPA has no right to collect any charge without coming to Nigerian shippers Council but sometimes they go to the ministry and it is approved and this has direct consequences on the charges”, Bello declared © 2019, maritimemag. All rights reserved.
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