PCC urges Shippers Council to facilitate trade

 Chairman, Ports Consultative Council (PCC), Kunle Folarin, has enjoined Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to facilitate trade by reviving its vital organs across the country.

Folarin, who made the assertion when he led members of the council on a courtesy visit to NSC’s corporate headquarters in Lagos, contended that if this is carried out by NSC, it will push the maritime sector forward and ensure the sustainable development of the economy for the benefit of Nigeria and Nigerians.

He revealed that these vital organs included the Port Charges Monitoring Committee, Shippers Associations, and SPARK.

“We implore you to focus on reviewing the established organs of trade facilitations which were operating in the council but have now gone on sabbatical. Unless the council showcase the capability, and move into the public domain, educating government, stakeholders, agencies in and outside the maritime sector, you will not be able to get the full support you deserve,” he said.

He also stressed the need to get the Act of the council amended, because, according to him, regulation is one of the many areas it needs to be empowered.

Folarin assured Bello of the support of PCC in ensuring that his tenure as the helmsman at the council is successful.

“We are assuring the Acting Executive Secretary of our fullest support in ensuring that his tenure is not only successful but also remarkable and memorable in moving the maritime industry in Nigeria to the next enviable level”, Folarin said.

In his response, NSC acting executive secretary, Hassan Bello assured that the council was already pushing for the amendment of its laws, even as he revealed that it has concluded plans to revitalise its Shippers Association.

Bello informed the group that as part of its efforts to facilitate trade, the council had recently led a trade delegation to Niger Republic and other neighbouring countries in order to convince them to start using Nigerian ports as transit ports.

NONSO NDUMANYA