Bello Describes Ports Operations as Cumbersome, Advocates Automation
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mr Hassan Bello, Wednesday called on industry stakeholders to adopt virtual ports operation as imperative in fast-tracking development in the maritime sector.
Bello who spoke during an interactive session on Webinar titled “Covid-19 And The Nigerian Maritime Sector: Lessons And The Way forward” said the present operations in the ports industry was too cumbersome
He argued that the nation’s seaports can operate 24 hours as was the case in the airports once adequate measures were put in place.
Bello added that 24 hours operations in the ports will reduce the human contact and usher in paperless era.
He called for integration of all stakeholders in the sector, including the Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, NSC, importers, terminal operators, freight forwarders to achieve a 24 hour ports service.
He said automation of ports services and deployment of multi modal means of evacuation of goods will enhance ease of doing business at the ports.
He criticized the current situation in the ports involving physical examination, and called on stakeholders to ensure the development of an inter modal transport system .
Bello pointed out the current congestion in the ports, adding that this was bad for business because of the multiplier effect.
He commended the APM Terminals which launched a rail evacuation service few days ago in conjunction with the Council.
He said that the Council has been working hard to ensure ease of doing business for stakeholders in the industry even with the coronavirus pandemic with efforts to strike a balance between ports operations, services and safety.
Bello said, “From the onset, we realised that It was important to strike a balance between ports operations, services and safety.
“Some of the challenges we experienced at the initial stage includes; banks not opening to provide financial services within the ports, lack of means of transportation within and outside the ports for essential services.
“There was so much negative impacts as big markets like the Onitsha, Aba markets were shut hence problems of where goods stuck at the ports would be moved to.
“Restriction on interstate movement was also another down time for businesses in the Port as goods were stuck in the ports leading to loss of huge resources for both shippers and owners”.
The webinar which was organised by Mike Igbokwe Law firm had notable industry stakeholders who took part.
Bello who spoke during an interactive session on Webinar titled “Covid-19 And The Nigerian Maritime Sector: Lessons And The Way forward” said the present operations in the ports industry was too cumbersome
He argued that the nation’s seaports can operate 24 hours as was the case in the airports once adequate measures were put in place.
Bello added that 24 hours operations in the ports will reduce the human contact and usher in paperless era.
He called for integration of all stakeholders in the sector, including the Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, NSC, importers, terminal operators, freight forwarders to achieve a 24 hour ports service.
He said automation of ports services and deployment of multi modal means of evacuation of goods will enhance ease of doing business at the ports.
He criticized the current situation in the ports involving physical examination, and called on stakeholders to ensure the development of an inter modal transport system .
Bello pointed out the current congestion in the ports, adding that this was bad for business because of the multiplier effect.
He commended the APM Terminals which launched a rail evacuation service few days ago in conjunction with the Council.
He said that the Council has been working hard to ensure ease of doing business for stakeholders in the industry even with the coronavirus pandemic with efforts to strike a balance between ports operations, services and safety.
Bello said, “From the onset, we realised that It was important to strike a balance between ports operations, services and safety.
“Some of the challenges we experienced at the initial stage includes; banks not opening to provide financial services within the ports, lack of means of transportation within and outside the ports for essential services.
“There was so much negative impacts as big markets like the Onitsha, Aba markets were shut hence problems of where goods stuck at the ports would be moved to.
“Restriction on interstate movement was also another down time for businesses in the Port as goods were stuck in the ports leading to loss of huge resources for both shippers and owners”.
The webinar which was organised by Mike Igbokwe Law firm had notable industry stakeholders who took part.
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