As NSC Management Engage Eastern Operators 

Executive Secretary/ CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Barr. Pius Akutah, MON,  has reiterated the Federal Government’s intent and focus on diversifying the economy from oil to the non-oil sector. Consequently, the ES said the Council is working round the clock to actualize the marching order to diversify the nation’s economy  with focus on the non-oil sector.

Speaking after he led  the Council’s management team on a two day working visit to Port Harcourt/Onne ports and  inspection of the Bua Port Terminal at Rivers Port, Onne Multipurpose Terminal and West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) , in Rivers State, respectively, the Executive Secretary disclosed that the Federal Government is committed to making Nigeria the regional investment, pointing out that the issue of rail connectivity will help to reduce the cost of haulage transportation.

The NPA and NSC Bosses during a stakeholders’ engagement on port efficiency

The Executive Secretary said that the essence of the visit was to have an on-the spot assessment of the facilities of the terminal operators as the Council as Port Economic Regulator is  working very closely with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on port automation in order to reduce human contacts and make clearance of cargo procedures and processes seamless.

The NCS boss also newsmen that the NSC is advocating for a Bill which would transform the agency into the  Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency.

Barr. Akutah further stated that the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for investors in the country, necessitating  the need to constantly visit the ports and engage with stakeholders in trade facilitation which is in line with Mr. President’s vision on Ease of Doing Business.

Barr. Akutah  also used the opportunity of the visit  to interact with major stakeholders operating at the Eastern Ports to listen to the challenges they face and  proffer solutions; stressing that stakeholders engagement and collaboration is of immense importance in port regulation all over the world.

Barr. Akutah said the Federal Government is committed to creating an enabling environment for businesses to thrive by addressing the issue of decayed infrastructure in the ports.

He assured operators within the Port Harcourt axis that the Eastern ports would not be left out as the Federal Government makes effort  to rehabilitate all ports in the country.