Maritime

Port Reform Will Favour Strong Companies – Bello

The Executive Secretary (ES) of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello, has said that the ongoing reforms at the nation’s ports will be favourable to strong companies in the maritime sector.
He disclosed this in a meeting with the National President of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu, in Lagos, stressing that NSC would remain committed to the training of freight forwarders.
Bello said “the more you train them, the more they can negotiate with the service providers themselves. If we have a strong freight forwarding practice, this country would be self-regulatory in years to come.”
Concerning the issue of consolidation, the (ES) of Shippers’ Council said the elimination of the one-man-business would be put in place. He went further by saying “strong companies ought to come together because there is a reform going on in the maritime industry, we are advocating every day for robust automation in the industry, and freight forwarders must be prepared for that reform because it is a necessity.
We want them to have offices where the necessary technology would be put in place, to aid interaction.
“We do not need to be at the port before our goods can be cleared, we need people to be educated, and we also need knowledge to channel service providers.” He added.
To facilitate trade, Hassan Bello said he would create supervision and equilibrium to drive effective operations. He also added that if the ports become efficient, shippers would not divert to neighbouring port.
The National President of ANLCA , Prince Olayiwola Shittu, concluded by saying that ANLCA is looking to Improving the level of networking at senior levels with the Government, its agencies operating at the ports, port service providers, and other organisations which interface with the freight forwarding and customs clearing industry.

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Ihesiulo Grace

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