Shippers Council to ensure efficient service delivery at ports- Bello

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), country’s ports economic regulator, has reaffirmed its commitment towards providing a level playing ground for all stakeholders in the ports sector with a view to ensuring efficient service delivery in the system at all times.
Hassan Bello, executive secretary/ chief executive officer, Nigerian Shippers Council, made the assertion at a seminar, titled, “The Export Potentials of Made-in-Aba Products: A strategy for survival in a recessed economy”, organized by the South-East Coordinating office of the Council in conjunction with the Abia Shippers Association (ASA), to mark the 2ndannual general meeting of ASA.
Bello commended stakeholders for their support towards the realization of NSCs mandate in the State and the South-East region.
“This is great encouragement to us as it clearly demonstrates your buy-in-as well as ownership of our new role as the Country’s ports economic regulator, which has brought about increased operational efficiency, infrastructural development, security and safety of cargo, capacity building, among others, geared towards ensuring the ease of doing business in the ports sector of the economy”.
Represented by Anayo Winner, deputy director, Inland Transport Services, NSC, Bello reaffirmed the importance of the seminar, which was to bring to light the industrial ingenuity and resourcefulness of the great people of Abia State, as well as their capability to become Nigeria’s industrial hub and that of the sub-region.
He stated that the export sector is becoming very vibrant and lucrative, not only in the developed economies, but also in developing economies and therefore cannot be ignored.
“Gone are the days when people derogatorily speak about locally made goods of which the Aba business community has pioneered and driven over the years even without encouragement. I want to place on record that if you were able to achieve some level of success in the sector when there was little or no support from the Government, you have every reason to record much more success now that Government of the day is on your side, “he observed.
Ify Okolue, zonal coordinator, NSC, South-East Zone, in her welcome address, explained that the seminar was organized to help develop the local productive capacity of its stakeholders and encourage export of Made-In-Aba products, avail stakeholders with the necessary information required to secure loans from development banks, render technical assistance and international marketing links to stakeholders..
She stated further that the seminar aimed at sensitizing Abia entrepreneurs on effective ways and means of redirecting and aligning their business enterprise towards achieving significant success in the global market, leveraging of course on the Federal Government’s current initiative on the promotion of Nigeria’s non-oil export.
Olo Onuma, chairman, Board of Trustees, Abia Shippers Association, who was elated at the honour bestowed on him and other members of the Board, expressed gratitude to the executive council of ASA and the NSC for appreciating their contributions towards the growth of the association.
He stated that ASA has remained focused on its objectives of protecting the interest of shippers in Abia State, which has attracted accolades and recognition from the zonal coordinating office, the headquarters of the NSC and the United Council of African Shippers Association.
He revealed that Abia Shippers Association in 2005, was recognized as the most active and effective Shippers Association in Nigeria.
“It is interesting to also note that the independent observers from the headquarters of the Nigerian Shippers Council that witnessed our last general elections exclaimed that the election was the best they have ever witnessed among all shippers associations in Nigeria, a wonderful commendation, “he said.

 

GODFREY OFURUM, Aba