The barring last minute changes, the new Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Traders’ Portal, an electronic platform that would serve as an information pool for all port trade operators and agencies of government, will be commissioned by the Vice President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo on Thursday.
Executive Secretary/ CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Hassan Bello, who disclosed this on Thursday in Lagos, said the platform was initiated to eradicate every form of delay and human encumbrances militating against efficient port service delivery system.
He also added that the online platform will address the various complaints and challenges being faced by port users and operators timely.
The Bello, who was speaking with the pioneer leaders of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON), who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, lamented that the port operating system is still largely primitive in matters of critical information and data management which must be changed in order to achieve the desired competitiveness in Nigeria’s aim for anticipated hub status.
He mentioned: “We are going electronic in our operations. We are part of the port unit, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, ICPC, UNDP and others. We have decided to streamline the ports operating procedures of every agency in the port.
“This initiative is to eliminate issues that will cause unnecessary delays in clearance of cargo. So all port operators are involved, we want to be able to compare with international standards, to cut delays and corruption,” he said.
He stated that the more efficient Nigeria’s ports become the more cargo it will attract “and the more contributions the port system can make in the diversification of our sources of revenue.”
He also said the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) will make more money, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NlMASA) will make more money, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) will make more money.
“Invariably the multiplier effect of being a hub is something we can readily contemplate”, he said.
The President of AMJON, Ismail Aniemu told the Shippers’ Council boss that the leadership of the Association decided to visit him and his agency first in recognition of his genuine interest in encouraging and promoting a united, integrity driven maritime journalists beat.
Aniemu said the visit was intended to assure him and all other agencies in the maritime industry including the organized private sector and trade unions that a single maritime journalists group has been realized, and with it greater reportorial focus and responsible news reporting and analysis, in addition to reducing quackery and unacceptable professional behaviour will be achieved.
He said: “Today’s visit underscores the degree of interest the Executive Secretary of NSC has shown over the years for all journalists covering the maritime industry to be united under one umbrella. “While sincerely thanking you for being part of the journey, we want to also inform you of our support for the NSC in its expanded role as port economic regulator. It is our hope that the journey will evolve into having a National Transport Commission, which bill is still being considered at the National Assembly.”
The responding Bello expressed satisfaction with the calibre of persons at the helm of affairs at the new united reporters group even as he promised to partner with AMJON in all material circumstances tailored towards achieving improved journalism committed to professional competence through adequate modern skill.
“I am extremely glad about your visit. I know the calibre of journalists in your organisation and that gives me some satisfaction because you make informed input through your reports about the industry and that’s what we need.
‘’Also said we need specific industry based journalism that will not talk about individuals or irrelevant things but concentrate on critical industry issues. “Shippers’ Council will support AMJON. We will support you to the hilt if the idea is to educate and train journalists by whatever means necessary,” Bello said.
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