NGO calls on FG to review terminal operations, land use, berth allocation policies for efficiency.

Segun Oladipupo    |   

A maritime advocacy group has said for the efficient performance of the maritime industry in Nigeria, there was need for review of terminal operations, land use and berth allocation policies for better port operations and performance.

The group, Youngship Nigeria (YSN) added that investments are needed in cargo handling equipment and capacity building to enhance efficiency of the African ports.

This position was canvased in a communique jointly signed by Usman Shuaibu and Emeghedo Chigozie, National President and National Secretary respectively, after a webinar session in commemoration of 2020 African Day of the Seas and Oceans with the theme: African Seas and Oceans: Opportunities, Strengths and Threats.

The positions are parts of the recommendations reached at the webinar session held recently.

Some of the recommendations include; “The effective regulatory framework, pressure group actions and stakeholder engagement are vital for the development of African Seas and Oceans. 

“That there is need to review terminal operations, land use and berth allocation policies for better port operations and performance.

“That investments are needed in cargo handling equipment and capacity building to enhance efficiency of the African ports.

“That there is need to establish efficient transshipment points for robust transport systems especially to the landlocked nations in Africa.

“That healthy terminal competition was necessary for port efficiency and productivity.

“That automation/electronic documentation and timely cargo inspection is the way forward for port throughput efficiency and capacity maximization.

The maritime non governmental organisation (NGO) maintained that the use of rail to evacuate cargo from the port cannot be over emphasised even as it called for smart based transpprt infrastructure that will link all xatho generating and attracting points to the rail network.

“That the use of railway services for cargo movement into and from the ports is inevitable to reduce cargo dwell time and guarantee port efficiency.

“That efficient and smart land based transport infrastructure that links all cargo generating and attracting points to railway network as well as parks for high capacity cargo carrying vehicles is imperative.

“That there should be created, smart vehicles that can communicate with each other and with cargo generating and attracting points to boost trade.

“That there should be developed, a national policy/framework to enable the adoption, implementation and enforcement of smart transport system for improved maritime trade.