NAN-HE-17
ICD
By Aisha Cole
Lagos, March 6, 2017 (NAN) The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has urged concessionaires of Inland Container Depots (ICDs) to live up to expectation to enable government to achieve its mandate.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Hassan Bello, made the plea in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos on Monday.
Bello allayed the fears of dry ports operator, saying that government would not withdraw the licenses of those of them that had fallen short of expectations.
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“Nobody is withdrawing the licenses of dry ports, but what we are saying is that the concessionaires of those ports must live up to expectations.
“We are having new milestones; we are having new directives; we are working with ICRC (Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission) to enable Shippers’ Council to deliver this project.
“By next year, some of them would come on board. It is very important to have these dry ports delivering goods to the door steps of shippers inland and also to encourage exports because that is what dry ports are all about.
“Whatever you do, ensure you collaborate with the stakeholders so that the contributions to the economy should be foremost.’’
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He said operation of the depots would help retrieve the lost transit cargoes.
Bello said that would stimulate the economy and increase activities at the ICDs.
The executive secretary said Nigerian ports had more cargo throughput and effective ICDs would reduce delay in cargo delivery and would also make Nigerian ports the hub in West and Central Africa.
He said if the council noticed any failing on the part of a concessionaire to fulfill the agreement, it would have no option than to terminate the concession.
“They have all been extremely cooperating. We have seen tremendous fast tracking of their involvement.
“I visited Maiduguri. I was with the Governor of Borno State.
“Am going to go round those areas where these dry ports are sighted.
“We have seen a step-up of activities and I am sure the concessionaires of the dry ports we are signing a new agreement very soon.
“This agreement would bring about new milestones;18 months to step up and start construction of these dry ports.
“If after we find some faults or inability to fulfill the conditions of the agreement, as I have said, we would have no option but to terminate the concession,’’ Bello said.
He, however, urged all stakeholders to come together and support one another to find solutions to challenges affecting port operations.
Bello said that there was need for synergy, equilibrium, coordination and supervision to serve the economy. (NAN)
AIC/AJA/YEE
Edited by Adeleye Ajayi/Emmanuel Yashim
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