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Shippers’ Council becomes stricter on port regulations compliance

By Sulaimon Salau 
11 July 2017   |   4:23 am
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), is set to fully enforce compliance among service providers in the Maritime industry, having received the full support of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), is set to fully enforce compliance among service providers in the Maritime industry, having received the full support of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

• Holds summit on truck transit parks

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), is set to fully enforce compliance among service providers in the Maritime industry, having received the full support of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).

The new Assistant Inspector General of Police, Maritime Police Command, Pius Imue, during a visit to the NSC Head office in Apapa, assured that the Command is ready to dedicate a team that will accompany the Council in its monitoring of the industry.

This move will go a long way in restoring sanity in the industry, as many erring firms would be sanctioned and the ethics of the shipping business strengthened. Besides, the NSC would be more active in playing its statutory role.

Imue disclosed that a desk for this assignment and other matters affecting the industry had already been set up, adding that the team of the Police Unit will be ready to  accompany the Council officials on target missions once it is given a notice for the operation.

The AIG was quoted as saying in a statement: “If you want to visit any of the companies, give us 24 hours notice. We shall give you police team to go for enforcement.”

The Police support came following a request to this effect by the Executive Secretary of the Council, Hassan Bello, who said that monitoring compliance in the industry was imperative.

Recall that maritime industry stakeholders had called on the Council over two years ago to seek the support of the Police in enforcing some of its statutory obligations.

The stakeholders had referred the Council to the Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON), NAFDAC, among others who have dedicated Police Units to enforce their statutory functions at any given time.

The management of the Council had however played this down, preferring a gentleman’s approach, a style that appears not to be helping the Council.

Bello also called on the AIG to put an end to a situation in which some police officers were intercepting containers cleared at the ports on the high way, as this has been affecting trade facilitation due to attendant delays.

Meanwhile, the Federal Ministry of Transportation in collaboration with the NSC, and Kings Communications Limited, are organising a two-day National Summit on Establishment, Management and Operations of Truck Transit Parks (TTPs) in Nigeria.

The forum, aimed at facilitating investments in TTPs and enhancing trade and investments for the revival of Nigeria’s economy, is scheduled for 11th and 12th July, in Abuja.

The Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi, is the chief host and will deliver the welcome address, while the Minister of Power, Works, and Housing, Babatunde Fashola, will deliver the keynote.

The Summit, themed: “Truck Transit Parks: Providing Critical Infrastructure for Trade and Transit in Nigeria,” seeks to assemble stakeholders in transport and logistics sector to optimise the potential and investment opportunities in TTPs. It will also harmonise and standardise truck parking facilities on Nigerian roads; adopt financial models for developing and sustaining TTPs; and establish the role of stakeholders in managing such parks, among others.

According to the spokesman for NSC, Ignatius Nweke, among those expected to attend the Summit are critical stakeholders in the project, which include state governors, transport commissioners, haulage truck owners, transport unions, construction companies, relevant National Assembly committees, prospective investors, and leaders of thought in the sector.

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