18th July, 2018
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Wednesday called on terminal operators to embrace automation system for cargo clearance.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Mr Hassan Bello, made the call when he led the management of the agency on a visit to some terminal operators in Lagos.
Among the facilities visited include SIFAX Port and Cargo Handling Services, Five Star Logistics Ltd and APM Terminals.
According to him, adoption of automation will improve cargo clearance, minimise the current gridlock being experienced in Apapa and reduce human traffic at the terminals.
Bello said that the Ease of Doing Business Executive Order was realisable with synergy among the various players in the transport and logistics chain.
He advised all terminal operators to register with the council in addition to maintaining functional websites and proper records of daily transactions, to help regulators and government in policy formulation.
The executive secretary said that the council, as a Port Economic Regulator, was interested in ensuring international best practices.
Bello said that if other countries could attain the minimum operating standards at the ports, Nigeria should strive to achieve same.
He said that the Council was determined to embark on a periodic audit of all terminal operators, both manually and electronically.
Responding, Abayomi Obadare, General Managers of the three terminal operators, said that the visit by the NSC officials had given him and his colleagues assurance that their current operational challenges would soon be over.
The management of the NSC recently embarked on visits to various stakeholders as part of the mandate to address anomalies and challenges facing key players in the industry.