NAN-H-93
Ports
By Dianabasi Effiong
Calabar, Dec. 6, 2016 (NAN) The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has assured stakeholders of its commitment to resolving conflicts in the industry to enhance sustainable growth of the port sector.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Hassan Bello, gave the commitment on Tuesday in Calabar in a message to a Town Hall Meeting with stakeholders drawn from Akwa Ibom, Cross River and Rivers.
Bello said the meeting was part of the Council’s strategy to assess the impact of market forces on shipping services and delivery.
He said that inputs from the meeting would strengthen the council’s efforts toward taking appropriate measures to create what he termed a “New Port Order’’ characterised by efficiency and competitiveness.
Bello, who was represented by a Deputy Director, Public Relations in the council, Mr Ignatius Nweke, said the council was established to regulate tariffs, charges, dues, rates and quality of services.
He said the meeting was expected to promote, facilitate discussions, port service quality and efficiency; and serve as a scorecard for council’s performance aimed at addressing stakeholders’ concerns in port operations and governance.
Questions were raised on what will be required to get commercial shipping lines to patronise Calabar port and whether the dredging of Calabar port was still alive.
The participants also asked whether all importation of vehicles would stop in Lagos ports, if the Federal Government eventually banned the importation of vehicles through the land borders by January 2017.
The participants also sought to know why it was impossible for importers, apart from petroleum products dealers, to do business in Calabar port.
Stakeholders at the occasion included: the Nigeria Immigration Service, National Inland Waterways Authority, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NIMASA, Ecomarine Terminal and Zonal coordinators of the NSC.
Members of Akwa Ibom and Cross River Trade Groups; Freight Forwarders Association as well as Cross River and Akwa Ibom Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture also attended the one-day forum. (NAN)
DOE/AJA
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(Edited by Adeleye Ajayi)