By Uzor Odigbo,
Lagos
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has urged Maerskline Nigeria Limited to move its transit cargo through the nation’s ports.
The Executive Secretary of NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, made the plea when the Managing Director of Maerskline Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gildas Tobouo Tobouo, paid a courtesy visit to the council in Lagos.
Bello expressed optimism that the utilization of Nigerian ports for transit cargoes would be of immense benefit not only to shippers but the economy in general.
He therefore solicited for increase collaboration between the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Maersk Line Nigeria Limited, adding that the port could only be efficient and effective if critical stakeholders can dialogue on issues affecting the port and proffer solution to them.
The NSC scribe further drew the attention of the managing director to some of the challenges facing Nigerian ports, which, according to him, include high cargo dwell time, instability of poor automation and lack of transparency in the port operations, stressing that some of the challenges could be addressed through collaboration and dialogue.
He commended Maerskline for their immense contributions to shipping operations in the country and called for stronger strategic partnership with Maerskline for the Kaduna Dry port and other Inland Container Depots in the country.
The Managing Director, Maerskline Ltd., Mr. Gildas Tohouo Tohouo, expressed readiness to support the Council to achieve its objectives of making the port friendly for users.
He welcomed the collaboration and dialogue being suggested by the Council adding that it would assist in creating sustainable platform for the growth of the country.
