FG Pledges Reforms to Expedite Cargo Clearance and Boost Blue Economy
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FG Pledges Reforms to Expedite Cargo Clearance and Boost Blue Economy
By Alabidun Shuaib AbdulRahman
The Federal Government has pledged to maintain a conducive working environment for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to enhance the clearance of overtime cargoes at all ports and improve service delivery.
Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, made this announcement during his recent visit to the NSC Headquarters in Lagos.
Oyetola assured the Council that the government would address their challenges and implement necessary reforms to support the Blue Economy agenda.
While acknowledging the Council’s achievements, Minister Oyetola expressed concerns about the poor condition of ports, overextended cargo stays, and the excessive presence of foreign fishing firms.
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He also highlighted that bureaucratic processes contribute to lengthy cargo clearance, frustrating shippers and leading to container abandonment.
The Minister committed to engaging with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to resolve issues related to abandoned cargoes and other bottlenecks at ports.
During the visit, Executive Secretary of the NSC, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, emphasized the need for urgent amendments to the NSC Act to establish effective port economic regulation.
He underlined the NSC’s role in shaping maritime policy and its objective of positioning Nigeria as a leading Maritime Hub in the sub-Western Region.
Jime also mentioned the NSC’s current concerns, including the implementation of a 1% freight stabilization fee, the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), and the establishment of a National Fleet.
The Minister also visited the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN), where Acting Registrar, Chinyere Uromta, appealed to reconsider the exclusion of CRFFN from the National budgetary allocation.
Uromta highlighted CRFFN’s contributions to the logistics and shipping industry, both locally and internationally, and called for an amendment to the CRFFN Act.
In response, the Hon. Minister commended CRFFN’s efforts and expressed a willingness to consider their request.
