Shippers’ Council sensitisation programme : Stakeholders brainstorm on NPPM implementation * Amaechi, Dr Jamoh, Hadiza Usman, Hon Tony Nwabunike, NAGAFF President, others on the roundtable

Shippers’ Council sensitisation programme :
Stakeholders brainstorm
on NPPM implementation

* Amaechi, Dr Jamoh, Hadiza Usman, Hon Tony Nwabunike, NAGAFF President, others on the roundtable

(Report by Udeme Clement):

The maritime sector in Nigeria is poised for greater growth this 2021, as Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), just hosted a sensitisation meeting for government agencies and stakeholders on implementation of Nigerian Ports Process Manual (NPPM).

Our Correspondent gathered that the meeting was held at the instance of Transportation Minister,
Rt. Honorable Chibuike Amaechi, who attended in person along with top officials of the Ministry, in Abuja.

The programme becomes necessary to deliberate on importance of NPPM implementation and the need to sanitise port users

In attendance were Permanent Secretary from Transport Ministry, Managing Director of Nigeran Ports Authority (NPA), Director General of NIMASA, the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices Commission- ICPC, Registrar of CRFFN, Chairman, Governing Council of NSC Head TUGAR, the National President of ANCLA, Hon Iju Tony Nwabunike, and the President of NAGAFF, among others.

A major highlight of the meeting was presentation of Port Service Support Portal PSSP, which will be the primary tool to drive implementation of NPPM.

Recall that the NPPM was launched by the Vice-President, Professor Yemi Osinbajo on December 9, 2020, in Abuja and he announced the appointment of NSC as the lead agency to implement the NPPM.

The NPPM will enable Nigeria improve its ranking on the Corruption Perception Index, CPI.

In his keynote address, Amaechi emphasised the responsibility placed on NSC to drive the process.
He urged government agencies and the public to cooperate with NSC.

In his remarks, ES/CEO of NSC, Hassan Bello, said, “The Nigerian Ports Process manual is key to transparency in Nigerian ports. There is need to reduce dual time of cargo from 21 days to the regional average of seven days.

“NSC is not only looking at ease of doing business but the cost of doing business. The electronic call-up system by NPA, would aid in easing the current traffic situation around the ports access roads.”

He sought the cooperation of sister agencies to ensure the manual is fully implemented, in order to improve the ranking of Nigeria in Corruption Perception Index (CPI).

The Chairman of ICPC, Professor Bolaji Owasanoye, pointed out,
“The agencies are not powerless, they have enforcement powers. It is time to effectively use these enforcement powers”.

He pledged the support of his agency to enhance the implementation of NPPM.

Head of Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-Corruption Reforms (TUGAR) – Ms. Lillian Ekeanyanwu, applauded the collaboration of NSC and other agencies in realising the NPPM.

“We have confidence in NSC and NPA. We would issue a scorecard on performance”, she said.

Director General of NIMASA, Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who spoke on the challenges in the sector mentioned insecurity and corruption.

According to him, the methods to address these issues are embedded in NPPM. “Our industry can only be sustained in terms of economic growth, if we have sustainable systems in place to make our ports attractive”, he stressed.

The NPA boss, Hadiza Bala Usman, said, “the Key Performance Indicators (KPI) of various agencies in the maritime sector are closely tied, therefore there is need for seamless cooperation and integration of relevant agencies.

She asserted, “The NPA would ensure compliance to the manual and give sanctions for non-complaince”.

The Governor of Lagos State, represented by Commissioner of Transportation – Dr. Fredrick Oladeyinde, said, “Lagos State is on top of Apapa gridlock situation. We are working with NPA to make sure truck parks are established along logistics routes.

“Lagos has given out 31 hectares of land for these truck parks. We will continue to work with key stakeholders to ensure we develop the best port system in Africa”, he said.