By Kenneth Jukpor
Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) is working towards the establishment of Domestic Export Warehouses across country.
The Executive Secretary of NSC, Hon. Emmanuel Jime revealed this while engaging media proprietors and editors at the weekend.
According to the NSC boss, this will assist in addressing the current challenges experienced in the export chain as several goods get damaged before they are exported.
He also stated that the Council is working together with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to institute a Consumer Protection Regime for the shipping and ports industry.
A Memorandum of Understanding with FCCPC is about to be signed on this subject matter, the NSC boss assured.
His words: “We have set up and inaugurated the National Shippers Association of Nigeria (NASAN). This is with a view to giving the shippers across Nigeria, a stronger voice in addressing common issues of interest with the service providers and to also contribute to national policies affecting practice and conduct of international trade.”
Meanwhile, NSC in collaboration with the Union of African Shippers’ Council under the auspices of the Federal Ministry of Transportation organised the Standing Committee No. 1 meeting and Mini Sensitization Workshop on African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
“The Council has been able to resolve a lot of disputes between Shipping Companies and Shippers or Freight Forwarders. From July – December, 2021 a total of 171 complaints were received, 82 cases were resolved and 89 cases still outstanding.”
“The sum of ₦900,809,361.00 (Nine Hundred Million, Eight Hundred and Nine Thousand, Three Hundred and Sixty-One Naira) was saved as a result of the Council’s intervention,” he said.
According to Jime, NSC remains fully committed to development of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) and Vehicle Transit Areas in Nigeria.
“The establishment of IDPs and Vehicle Transit Areas is primarily aimed at reducing sea port congestion, bringing shipping services closer to the hinterland and safe carriage of goods from the ports to other parts of Nigeria.”
“On resumption of duty, I visited the Jos Heipang Inland Dry Port, Dala Inland Dry Port, work is in appreciable progress and we hope that these projects will be delivered for commissioning in the second quarter of the year 2022.”
“The process of commencing the Ibadan IDP project is on course. The Full Business Case (FBC) has been submitted to the Federal Ministry of Transportation. The Transaction Advisers have submitted their report and the Federal Executive Council is expected to grant an approval in January, 2022 so that the development of the facility can officially commence,” he stated.
He opined that full implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) was one of his topmost priorities in his 4-year tenure as NSC boss.
Jime’s other goals for his administration include; the completion of construction and commencement of operations of at least four (4) Inland Dry Ports and at least two (2) Vehicle Transit Areas in Nigeria, build and operate at least two (2) Border Information Centers in next 2 years, have in operation an Empty Container Insurance Scheme or Guarantee Scheme.
Others are collaboration with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) and the Shipping Companies, to have in operation a Consumer Protection Regime in the maritime international trade industry.
