ES/CEO NSC flanked by AMJON members

As part of measures to shore up the efficiency level in port trade, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has commenced moves to create an   electronic platform that will serve as a common information pool centre for all port trade operators, Maritime Nigeria can report authoritatively.

The Executive Secretary/CEO of NSC, Barrister Hassan Bello who disclosed this said everything is being done by the present government to eradicate all delays and human ecumberancies militating against efficient port service delivery system.

Bello who was speaking with pioneer leaders of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON) who paid him a courtesy visit in his office, lamented that the port operating system is still largely primitive in matters of critical information and data management which must be changed in order to achieve the desired competitiveness in the bid to attain Nigeria’s long anticipated hub status.

According to Bello,  “We are going digital in our operations. We are part of the port unit, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, ICPC, UNDP and others. We have decided to streamline the ports operating procedures of every agency in the port.  The initiative is to eliminate issues that will cause unnecessary delays in clearance of cargo. So all port operators are involved, we want to be able to compare with international standards, to cut delays and corruption. The more efficient our ports become, the more cargo we get and the more contributions the port system can make in the diversification of our sources of revenue. NPA will make more money, NlMASA will make more money, Customs and Shippers’ Council will make more money. Invariably the multiplier effect of being a hub is something we can readily contemplate”.

President of AMJON, Mr. Ismail Aniemu told the shippers’ council boss that the leaders of  AMJON decided to visit him and his agency in recognition of his genuine interest in encouraging and promoting a united, integrity driven maritime journalists beat. Aniemu said the visit was also intended to assure him and all other agencies in the maritime industry including the organized private sector and trade unions that a single maritime journalists beat has been realized, and with it, greater reportorial focus and responsible news reporting and analysis, in addition to reducing quackery and unacceptable professional behavior.

I his words “Our visit underscores the degree of interest the Executive Secretary of NSC has shown over the years for all journalists covering the maritime industry to be united under one umbrella. While sincerely thanking you for being part of the journey, we want to also inform you of our support for the NSC in its expanded role as port economic regulator. It is our hope that the journey will evolve into having a National Transport Commission, which bill is still being considered at the National Assembly”.

Responding Bello expressed satisfaction with the caliber of persons at the executive, he equally embraced members of the Board of Trustees, describing them as credible and experienced.

Bello commended Leadership of the new united reporters group even as he promised to partner with AMJON in all material circumstances tailored towards achieving improved journalism committed to professional competence through adequate modern skill know how.

“I am extremely glad about your visit. I know the caliber of journalists in your organization and that gives me some satisfaction because you make informed input through your reports about the industry and that’s what we need.  We need specific industry based journalism that will not talk about individuals or irrelevant things but concentrate on critical industry issues.                                l have seen improvements in  beat. It is gladdening that economic issues are being engineered by you and that is what is desired. You have to be a notch better than other beat reporters because this industry contributes significantly to the GDP.

We have been romanticizing the maritime industry but now is time to connect to the economy.              Right now Nigeria is facing a peculiar problem, we have to take painful decisions which will task and demand efficiency, demand accountability, demand results. Government have the responsibility to provide conducive atmosphere for terminal operators to operate. Some of our operational climate is not business friendly. You have to have a marshal plan for the port to grow.

You are going to Apapa port and you’re competing on the same road with other users with no link with the port destination. The port should be well connected with all the modes of transportation system, that’s what we are saying and we are getting response now.

Take for instance the seaport at Lekki, we need to see that they are properly linked so we do not repeat the same mistakes we have in Apapa.   That’s why you are the conscience of this country, all of us are partisan in one way or another but you are supposed to be the impartial judge, the economic observer, the system indicators and prompters. You are supposed to point out what is wrong in economic terms.

Shippers’ Council will support AMJON. We will support you to the hilt if the idea is to educate and train journalists by whatever means necessary”, the Shippers Council helmsman declared.