Shippers’ council tasks Buhari on trade barriers, Ondo seaport

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to ensure the removal of policies posing as barriers to trade in the country.

NSC also asked the Federal Government to expedite action on the establishment of a seaport in Ondo State.

These demands, the council said would create more business opportunities and encourage exportation of non-oil products.

The NSC made these demands in a statement after an enlightenment seminar in Akure at the weekend.

The theme of the seminar is “The role of regulatory agencies as facilitators of international trade in Nigeria.”

The Director, Inland Transport Services of the council, Mr. Akintunde Makinde, said: “The Nigerian Shippers Council is an agency under the Federal Ministry of Transportation charged with the responsibility of advancing the cause of Nigerian importers and exporters on matters affecting the shipment of cargoes on all the modes of transportation.”

Makinde added that the council was also committed to monitoring and enforcing standards, accessibility and adequacy of services.

Assistant Director and Head of Complaints Unit, Mr. Fadipe Moses gave an address on “Complaints handling mechanism: Process and procedures.”

The NSC asked the Federal Government to mandate terminal operators and the ports authority to provide modern facilities and guarantee cargo clearance within 48 hours.

According to the communiqué: “The Federal Government should support moves by Ondo State to establish a sea port at Olokola. The government should also remove trade barriers to export of goods.”