The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) says it will continue to work tirelessly to ensure enhanced transportation and trade facilitation for the economy to optimize the potential of the blue economy.
The Council’s Executive Secretary, Mr. Emmanuel Jime, said this at the 2022 Nigerian International Maritime Summit (NIMS) held in Lagos on Tuesday.
Jime spoke on the topic, “High seas to Hinterland – Opportunities and Challenges in Harnessing the Blue Economy.”
The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the ocean ecosystem.
Jime said as a port economic regulator, NSC would continue to promote fair trade practices amongst the various stakeholders.
He noted that the council would further ensure the implementation of various government policies under its supervision to ensure that the nation maximized the opportunities in the port sector to optimize the blue economy.
“To ensure seaports are well connected to the hinterland and the country benefits maximally from the abundant benefits in the blue economy; particularly in seaport and shipping sector, there is a need for adequate provision of critical infrastructure.
“The Federal Government should ensure full automation of port processes and procedures to ensure seamless cargo handling and clearance at the seaports for onward delivery to the hinterland.
“There should be the implementation of the single window to facilitate seamless cargo handling and reduce the multiplicity of functions of government agencies at the ports,” he said.
The shippers' council boss called for the provision of rail connectivity to major seaports in the country to ensure seamless cargo evacuation and reduction of cargo dwell time at the ports.
He emphasized the establishment of more deep seaports capable of attracting high-volume capacity vessels, which would in turn reduce freight costs and improve the country’s connectivity.
“There is a need for the promotion of barge operations for cargo evacuation to and from the seaports to the hinterland.
“Promotion and full implementation of Cabotage Act to encourage and protect indigenous participation in barge operations in Nigeria,” he said.
He added that there was also a need for the development and operationalization of more critical transport infrastructure such as the Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) and Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) to facilitate trade to the hinterland and neighboring countries.
He noted that unfortunately, the country’s ports did not operate for 24hrs, adding that this should be encouraged.
He pointed out the need to encourage and promote private investment in the maritime industry.
Also, contributing, Mr. Oluwadamilola Emmanuel, General Manager, Lagos State Waterways Authority (LASWA), noted that LASWA was concerned about the adverse effects of whatever came from the high sea to the inland waterways.
According to Emmanuel, LASWA operates an integrated transport system and not just water transportation, and such is looking at issues holistically.
“We have set up an inland waterway command and control center and the idea is to gather data and monitor activities on the waterways to help with security,” he said.
Also, Dr. George Moghalu, Managing Director, of the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA), pointed out that a robust seaport interconnectivity should be a matter of priority to take advantage of the blue economy.
According to Moghalu, the issue of interconnectivity has the challenge of infrastructure and should be tackled.
He said the key components that could be gained from a blue economy were fishing, coasts tourism, aquaculture, shipbuilding and repairs, and waste disposal management, among others.
