The human element, as vital as it is in all spheres of human endeavour, continues to be a major challenge in effecting efficiency, eliminating bottlenecks, costs, accidents and many other threats to the overall triumph of man over problems created and or caused by other men.

In the Nigerian maritime industry, efforts at reducing human contact in port operations have been on for years. All agencies of the Federal government have at one time or another made efforts to improve and reduce delays in the clearing system without much success because man is himself man’s worse enemy.

Resistance to change, fear of the unknown, entrenched interests and pursuit of personal agenda are reasons why efforts at transformation remain seemingly intangible.

Not relenting, the appointment of young, dynamic, future looking persons by President Mohammadu Buhari seem set to change the situation for good as recent efforts are a departure from the old ways of doing things.

For instance, at the launch of the Standard Operating Procedures and Port Service Support Portal by the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Professor Yemi Osinbajo, GCON, has stated that the project will not only redefine ports activities, but will also take Nigeria to the next level for greater economic performance and accountability in the ports.

The Vice President also noted that the launch of the SOP and PSSP is part of the Administration’s commitment to the eradication of corruption in all areas and the enthronement of a better business culture in Nigeria.

The Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, (NIMASA) Dr. Dakuku Peterside expressed the readiness of his Agency to key into the reform process of the Federal Ministry of Transportation, which according to him, is in line with the Digital Transformation Strategy of NIMASA.  He expressed hope that the new initiatives will further promote excellence and service delivery that will make the nation’s ports a place of reference.

Dr. Peterside also used the opportunity to call on sister agencies in the industry and other relevant stakeholders to collaborate in the mission of bringing the desired changes to the sector and Nigeria as a whole.

The Minister of Transportation Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi noted that the cardinal goal of the SOP and PSSP project is to fight corruption and make the ports more viable for economic activities.

The Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the Port Service Support Portal is domiciled in the Nigerian Shippers Council for implementation. It  was conceived by the Federal Ministry of Transportation to ensure customer satisfaction and eliminate the incidences of corruption, especially through human contact in port service delivery system.