NSC: Bello Bows Out in Style, Preaches Synergy Among Transport Agencies
*Hassan Bello epitomizes a fine officer, quintessential gentleman – Hajia Tumaka
By Francis Ugwoke
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) Mr Hassan Bello weekend called for synergy among government agencies under the Ministry of Transportation, adding that this was the only way to achieve trade facilitation.
This was as emotions and encomiums greeted Bello at the end of his meritorious 8years tenure as the NSC Secretary and CEO.
Bello who spoke on the occasion of his send forth and SERVICOM Long Service award held in his honour at Eko Hotelss in Lagos said lack of synergy among government agencies in the maritime sector has affected implementation of some government policies thus affecting trade facilitation,
He said that since all the agencies have a common role to play in the interest of the sector, there was the need to collaborate for greater success.
Bello was of the view that all the agencies irrespective of the size of budget were equal, adding that all agencies have to operate on the basis equality.
According to him, some agencies have been defending territories and therefore neglected their core statutory roles.
He said that except the agencies collaborate for a common objective, Nigerians will not benefit from the transformational agenda of the Ministry of Transportation.
He said, “All the agencies have to operate on the basis of equality, there is no agency that is better than the other. Everyone of us have a role to play, agencies are not graded by their budget, but it is very unfortunate that some agencies think that maritime starts and ends with them.
“Some agencies are busy defending territories, they spend so much money defending these territories and they neglect what they are set up to do, this is why we have a problem”
“We are glad that we have a minister and a permanent secretary that understand that every agency must contribute, and there is no big agency because big agencies can crumble if they don’t do the right thing”.
Bello was however full of commendation for the Director General of Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, Dr. Bashir Jamoh and the Acting Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Mohammed Koko for their cooperation in the submission of manual/digital documents to the NSC requested from them as the lead agency in the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM).
Bello thanked the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, whose intervention has made it possible for the Council to be part of the the Port Concessioning Agreement, saying this was part of his achievements in the Council.
He said that by being part of the Port Concessioning Agreement, the Council as the ports economic regulator will be able to protect the interest of the shippers, and other stakeholders.
According to him, “the Council is now involved in the concession agreement being signed by the terminal operators, a situation in which the former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman sidelined the Council in the past”.
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The outgoing NSC boss also regreted that had the suspended NPA MD, Hadiza Bala Usman listened to the Council in its advice, the current gridlock in Apapa would not have been as it has become.
He said the NSC was made the lead agency implementing the NPPM as a result of its neutralism and professionalism.
He added that the NSC would not want any agency lording over it.
Bello who spent 22 years in the Service of the Council commended the staff for their commitment to service.
Describing the staff as the best to work with who contributed to his success in office, he urged them to continue to offer their best for the good of the organization and industry.
In the Long Service award, 66 personnel received the Notable Staff of the Year, Outstanding Zonal Office awards.
The Public Relations Office received the Outstanding Independent Unit award while Outstanding Department went to Finance and Account; Outstanding Staff of the Year went to 10 staff.
The Long Service award for 15 years were 66; 20 years Long Service award were 93; 25-years – 66 persons while 30-years were 31 staff.
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The SERVICOM Nodal Coordinator, Mrs Nnenna Akajiemelu said the award was necessary as it leads to healthy competition and mentorship of younger staff in the organization.
According to her, “Today, we are celebrating great service, milestones, giant strides achieved by Bello and staff of the shippers’ council.
“In celebrating those that excelled, there is a need to also shame those that have not performed and that was what SERVICOM was established to do.
“We are here today to praise and celebrate our dear brother, Bello, and we are proud to associate with his milestone. We are celebrating long years of selfless service, mentorship, ownership and working to excel,”
Many industry stakeholders who turned out for the celebration were full of encomiums for Bello for his outstanding performance
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The Transportation Minister, Mr Rotimi Amaechi, while congratulating the staff for the award described Bello as a good man.
The Minister who congratulated Bello said, for him to be having standing ovation at a ceremony for his departure shows he is a good man.
He said, “For him to be having this standing ovation at his departure, it means that he is a good man, and his going is a bit emotional for me and my family. We wish him well.”
The DG of NIMASA, Jamoh in his goodwill message described Bello as an epitome of effectiveness and efficiency, saying he worked to achieve international standard in service delivery.
He said that Bello fought corruption in the ports industry and came up with efforts to address the issue.
According to Jamoh, “The subject matter at this event is Hassan Bello and what he has achieved for the past eight years as the executive secretary of NSC.
We know for his doggedness in solving issues, in the aspect of gridlock, trade expansion, national fleet issues and others and for every area, you can write a chapter of book on his contribution to the industry.”
Former Managing Director of NPA, Mr Adebayo Sarumi, who was equally former Executive Secretary of NSC was equally full of commendation for Bello,saying he was proud of him.
He said, “I am proud to say that I employed him into NSC as a lawyer and he is a man we need as a transport Coordinator, he is Mr modalism, and fair play.”
Former Director, NIMASA, Hajia Lami Tumaka in a Whatapp platform chat also described Bello as a quintessential gentleman, saying he deserves to be celebrated.
She said, “Hassan Bello epitomizes a fine officer and a quintessential gentleman, amiable, humble, calm, cool and down to earth.
“His interpersonal skills is next to none, as he deserves to be celebrated and recognized.
“He deserves all the accolades as he is simply just a formidable, and a wonderful, shining personality.
“It is soothing and encouraging to hear Minister Ameachi say Hassan has retired but he is obviously not tired and wouldn’t be let go just like that, as he is still much needed in the maritime industry.
“Hassan came, saw and left the NSC better than he met it.
“This is to wish you all that you wish yourself and more, my brother and friend.
Take some time off to have some well deserved rest with your family/friends; then come back stronger”.
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