‘NSC’s new role increases operational efficiency, infrastructure at ports’

Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said its new role as the nation’s port economic regulator has brought about increased operational efficiency, infrastructural development, security and safety of cargo and capacity building of the players in the sector.

Akintunde Makinde, acting director, Inland Transport Services, NSC, made this known, Thursday, in Aba at a-day workshop tilled  “Challenges of Shipping Trade: South-East Stakeholders Experience,” organised by the Aba zonal coordinating office of the NSC.

Represented by Kola Akintola, assistant director, Inland Transport Services, NSC, Makinde said the Council was not relenting on its efforts at providing a level playing ground for every stakeholder in the maritime industry, which according to him would boost the growth of the nation’s economy.

To this end, he affirmed that the NSC had the passion to encourage shipping trade and stakeholder’s welfare, noting that the interactive forum was organised in recognition of the important role Abia stakeholders play, especially in the shipping trade.

He said the forum was put together to examine experiences and challenges stakeholders in international trade face in course of their businesses, within and outside the country, as well as finding collective and lasting solutions to identified challenges and problems.

Christian Chimezie, zonal coordinator, NSC, South-East zone, in his welcome address, said the forum was the outcome of the robust and sustained effort by the Council leadership to build up the capacity of stakeholders in the transportation sector.

He expressed the determination of the NSC to eliminate obstacles to efficient and sustainable service delivery in the transportation sector and encouraged stakeholders to avail themselves of the Council’s services, through its offices widely spread across the six geo-political zones, 15 area offices, one liaison office in Abuja and one border station at Seme.

According to Chimezie, the consistency of the Council in the enlightenment of stakeholders and her continued effort in the development of transport infrastructure led to increased operational efficiency, infrastructural development, security and safety of cargo and in turn given it enviable international image.