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NIMASA begins 24-hour turnaround time for issuing debit notes

By Sulaimon Salau
26 July 2017   |   4:05 am
Shipping agents can therefore access the Agency at these times with their manifests for further necessary action after which a Debit Note will be issued to them not later than 24 hours after submission.

Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, noted that the long dwell time of vessels calling at Lagos ports was stifling trade instead of facilitating it.

The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has commenced a 24-hour turnaround time for analysing cargo manifests, and issuing Debit Notes to shipping agents, in compliance with the Presidential directive on the resumption of 24 hours port operations in Lagos ports.

This has been achieved by extending work hours for some staff of the Agency in the Shipping Development Department. The Agency’s offices are also open on weekends, in order to accommodate shipping agents willing to do business.

Shipping agents can therefore access the Agency at these times with their manifests for further necessary action after which a Debit Note will be issued to them not later than 24 hours after submission.

These changes have impacted the overall performance of ports operations by reducing the dwell time of vessels calling the Lagos ports while increasing efficiency of the entire system.

Emphasising the significance of the presidential directive, the Director General of the Agency, Dr. Dakuku Peterside, noted that the long dwell time of vessels calling at Lagos ports was stifling trade instead of facilitating it.

He observed that, “The Executive Order signed by the Acting President for resumption of 24 hour port operations is aimed at improving efficiency and facilitating trade in Lagos Ports. As a responsible Agency, we are committed to implementing this directive and if it means extending work hours or even instituting a shift system, we will.”

The DG said the new approach to analysing manifests and issuing Debit Notes will be constantly monitored and evaluated to ensure its effectiveness while automation of the entire process is receiving priority attention.

Already, dwell time of vessels at the ports, which were previously attributed to delays in issuing Debit Notes and Sailing Clearance has reduced considerably.

The Agency is also expediting action on automating its processes to allow for electronic submission of manifests, issuing of debit Notes and Sailing Clearances, which will further reduce human interaction, improve efficiency and block revenue leakages.

Recall that the Acting President, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, had in May this year, signed three Executive Orders as part of the Federal Government initiatives under the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC), to ensure the ease of doing business in Nigeria, one of which was the resumption of 24 hours port operations in Lagos Port.

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