FG set to boost Eastern ports for optimum utilisation

Apparently worried by low patronage of the eastern ports by importers and shippers, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has set up a committee to study the viability and challenges of seaports in the  region.

Speaking at an event recently, the executive Secretary of the Council, Barr. Hassan Bello lamented that despite the Federal Government’s efforts to divert traffic at the Lagos ports to the East, most port operators preferred to route their cargoes through the Lagos ports.
Bello stressed that effective use of ports in other parts of the country would dissipate the traffic congestion at Lagos ports; even as he assured port stakeholders that the Council had plans to make Eastern ports viable as well as the Inland Dry Ports.
However, the Shippers’ Council boss noted that the realization of multimodal transportation and integration of all transport infrastructure to the ports wouldn’t be possible without private sector involvement.
“I know we have huge deficit in transport infrastructure but I also see that there is an opportunity; the way forward is public private partnership so that the risks can be apportioned and shared. Like the dry ports that we have, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is promoting Truck Transit Park, modern infrastructure driven by technology”
He explained that this development would enhance efficiency in the nation’s transport sector and consequently boost the nation’s economy.
“We must have inclusiveness, employment content of our infrastructure, more people will be employed and there will be export and Nigeria will diversify her economic growth. We have to have linkage with the hinterland and that is the beauty of it, goods supposed to go to and from the hinterland before they get to the people”
In another development, the President of Association of Marine Engineers and Surveyors (AMES), Engr. Charles Uwadia said that the maritime industry is standing on a tripod namely; the political i.e the policy, the technical dimension and funding, adding that without any of these in the right measure, the industry will falter.
“Presently, there is a committee in place to look into the ship registry to bring the standard of the registry to the international best practice and we know that you will all agree with me that this will attract shipping investors from other parts of the world when these things are implemented”, he said.
The AMES President noted that the association had been encouraged by Minister’s unusual enthusiasm to turn the industry around for the better even as he assured the Minister that members of AMES would continue to work with the government and her agencies as they aspire to make full use of their vast experience and resources in making the sector accomplish its full potentials.