Six years after the idea of initiating Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) in the nation’s maritime industry was born, Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo has inaugurated the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the Port Service Support Portal (PSSP) in Abuja.
While launching both initiatives last week, Osinbajo stressed that the SOPs underscore the importance of accountability as the agencies of government in the ports industry will drive economic growth in Nigeria.
According to him, the benefits of the enhanced SOPs would be more efficient port administration and ease of doing business in the country.
Osinbajo stressed that the SOP and PSSP were in line with the economic blueprint of the federal government, commended the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for the initiatives.
The Vice President admonished maritime industry stakeholders to support the project so as to realize its objectives as he maintained that the SOP and PSSP will enhance port capacity.
The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the Port Service Support Portal are domiciled in the Nigerian Shippers Council for implementation was conceived by the Federal Ministry of Transportation to ensure customer satisfaction on one part, while eliminating the incidences of corruption, especially through human contact in port service delivery system.
In his welcome address, the Minister of Transportation. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi lauded the cardinal goal of the project, pointing out that its implementation would actually fight corruption, make the ports more business friendly and viable for economic activities.
“It will guide customers on what to expect at the ports and what they need to do to receive good quality services. The SOP helps to establish operational standards, foster accountability and thus serve as a corruption prevention tool,” he said.
However, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Hassan Bello said the focus was to boost efficiency at the nation’s seaports.
He said automation would reduce leakages in the revenue drive of the federal government at the ports.
Delivering a goodwill message, the Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA), Dakuku Peterside disclosed that the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) and the Port Service Support Portal (PSSP) would no doubt enhance efficiency in the maritime sector.
The DG pledged his total commitment to ensure the project works and also noted that the goal was in line with the Digital Transformation Strategy of NIMASA.
He added that he would conscientiously and assiduously work to ensure that the new initiatives further promote excellence and service delivery that would make the nation’s ports a place of reference.
