Niger, Chad begin verification of cargo transit through Nigeria

APMT appoints Ransome-Kuti DMD 

AHEAD of cargo transit through Nigerian ports, Niger Republic and Chad have concluded plans to commence assets verifications in August, this year.

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, who disclosed the development on Monday, explained that the project is expected to boost operations at the nation’s seaports.

He explained that the council is also collaborating with Customs to ensure a hitch-free process, adding that it forms part of the nation’s trade facilitation initiatives.

Speaking during a visit to APM Terminals, Apapa, Bello said the council had sensitized the two countries on the efficiency at the nation’s ports.

Nigeria is expecting not less than three million metric tonnes of cargoes per annum from Niger alone, a development which according to Bello is expected to lift business activities at the ports, shipping companies, truckers, financial institutions among others.

He explained that the Council’s vision is to make Nigerian ports the preferred destination for cargoes in the western and central Africa sub-region.

Bello said: “Our vision is to make our ports efficient and effective to attract cargo from our competitors”. He described the role of NSC is to moderate activities at the port: “ The shipping companies and terminal operators have made investments in this sector.

It is important that they realise the return on their investment and this could be made on sound economic policies of the federal government”. Be informed the APMT management team led by Olufemi Ransome-Kuti, who was recently appointed Deputy Managing Director (DMD) that the Act  that established Nigerian Shippers Council as ports  economic regulator has just been promulgated.

Bello said: “The order, which was signed by Mr. President is a legal framework that has strengthened the work of Nigerian Shippers Council as economic regulator”.

Responding, Ransome-Kuti, pledged the commitment of APMT to the development of the nation’s economy, adding that the company has invested over $300million in the last nine years.