Nigerian Shippers’ Council Ends Stakeholders’ Seminar In PortHarcourt

Nigerian Shippers’ Council Ends Stakeholders’ Seminar In PortHarcourt

The Nigerian ShippersCouncil, South-South Coordinating Office, has ended its One Day Stakeholders’ Seminar with the theme: “Understanding The Structure And Functions Of Regulatory Agencies In The Port System,” which was aimed at exploring the intricacies of regulatory agencies in the port sector and their vital roles in ensuring smooth operations at the ports.

Presenting her address at the One Day Stakeholders’ Seminar held at Bougainvillea Hotel, PortHarcourt, the Rivers State capital on July 17, 2024, Mrs. Stella Eleyi, Assistant Drector, Administration, pointed out that the regulatory agencies play pivotal roles in maintaining safety, security, environmental sustainability and efficiency in port operations.

Ms. Eleyi also stated that the seminar was aimed at demystifying the structure and functions of regulatory agencies in the port system by exploring topics that border on: the role of regulatory agencies in port governance and understanding the different types of regulatory agencies, among others.

In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian ShippersCouncil, Barr. Pius Akutah, represented by the South-South Coordinator of the Nigerian ShippersCouncil, Mr. Jeremiah Okoliko, said the seminar was a continuation of their strategic engagement with stakeholders in the South-South Zone.

He was of the view that the stakeholders seminar would provide participants with the opportunity to be clarified on the issues raised by stakeholders and port users regarding the functions of regulatory agencies in the port, priority areas of agencies, and overlapping functions.

The CEO further said that the government is currently addressing the challenges to the optimal utilization of the Eastern Ports, such as the poor access roads, decaying port infrastructure, inefficient port operation, and cumbersome clearance processes and procedures, among others.

A paper presentation on the theme “Understanding the Regulatory Mandate of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in the Port System” was presented by Mr. Ofurum Obinna, Assistant Drector, Operators, NSC, on behalf of Mr. Glory E. Onojedo, Direction, Consumer Affairs Department, and “Functions of the Nigerian Maritime Administration & Safety Agency (NIMASA),” which was presented by Dr. Johnson Kwesi Doubara.

While Engr. Nathaniel Negedi, Commander, NDLEA, PortHarcourt International Airport, gave a comprehensive analysis of NDLEA’s functions, DC Sani Yusuf, Officer In Charge of NPA Control Post, Nigeria Immigration Service; representative of Nigeria Customs Service, Area 1 Command, CAC Hashim Mohammed; AC BD Mamman; and pharmacist Adepoju Bayo, Coordinator, Ports Operation, NAFDAC, PortHarcourt; and Mr. Chijioke Ukadike, representative of the Port Manager, NPA Area 1, PortHarcourt, spoke on their respective job mandates.

Some of the stakeholders, as well as participants, who responded to some of the issues raised during presentations by the regulatory agencies, which include: Engr. Innocent Akuvue, President, National Shippers Association; Mr. Ofon Udofia, Chairman, Rivers and Bayelsa Shippers Association; Dr. Babalola James, PRO, Shipping Trade Practitioners Association of Nigeria (STPAON), Rivers State; Mr. Dogala Sakpege, Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small and Medium Enterprises (NASME), Rivers State chapter; and Mr. Erasmus Chukunda, DG, PortHarcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines & Agriculture (PHCCIMA), among others, formed the basis for the One Day Stakeholders’ Seminar Communique.

In view of the various questions and issues raised in the papers presented, the following communique was adopted by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and stakeholders in the maritime industry:

“The stakeholders commended the organizers, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, for the seminar.

“Because of the strategic position of the maritime industry in the national economy, efficiency and transparency should be the hallmarks of shipping transactions in all our ports.

“That the functions and responsibilities of regulatory agencies in the port system be well published for ease of operations.

“The participants called on the regulatory agencies in our ports to develop a synergy that will ensure that the ease of doing business in our ports is achieved by the Federal Government.

“Economic benefits currently enjoyed in our ports should be sustained by all stakeholders by complying with the various rules and regulations put in place by the Federal Government through the various regulatory agencies at the port. Discipline should be the watchword in our engagements in the ports.

“The freight rate differentials in the Eastern Ports should be addressed in order to record more shipments in this part of the country.

“”The National Shippers Association executives, representing port service users, should be carried along in some of the policy implementation in our ports.

“The participants urged the Federal Government to do all they can to bring to fruition the provisions of the Cabotage Act so that the nation could have greater economic benefits from the blue and marine economies.

“The participants urged the Federal Government to dredge the channels and draught of the berths at the Eastern Ports so that very large vessels could call at these ports.” The Communique concluded.

The One Day Stakeholders Seminar, which was attended by over 100 participants, witnessed the presence of Engr. Innocent Akuvue, President, National Shippers Association, as the Chairman of the event and representatives of NDLEA, NPA, NIMASA, Nigeria Customs Service, NAFDAC, NIWA, and Nigerria Immigration Service, among other stakeholders in the maritime industry.