Shippers’ Council, Customs Synergize For Optimal Shipping Operations In Ports

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Nigeria Customs Service have synergized to enhance efficiency, smooth operations, and effective service delivery at the Nigerian Ports.

The Director, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, South-South Zone, Mr. Glory Onojedo made this known when he led the Executives of the Shippers Association on a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Area II Command, Onne Port Harcourt, Comptroller Baba Imam.

He disclosed that improved synergy between the two agencies would curb unnecessary delays in cargo clearing for shippers and other compliance traders and also boost the country’s revenue.

Onojedo recounted the roles of the Shippers’ Council as Port Economic Regulator to include; facilitation of trade through the protection of shippers’ interest, providing guidelines on tariff setting to guide against arbitrariness; monitoring and enforcing standards of service delivery, performing mediatory role among stakeholders, ensure compliance by all parties with the provisions of the Port Concession Agreements, etc, appealed for protection of shippers’ interest at the Onne Port.

Responding, Comptroller Baba Imam commended the Shippers’ Council and promised continuous synergy with them, and assured improvement in the system.

Comptroller Imam stated that the effectiveness of the synergy between the Customs and the Shippers’ Council in effective service delivery cannot be underscored, he noted that the Command is exploring modalities to facilitate trade that will not negate the laws.