By Uzor Odigbo
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has called on terminal operators to embrace automation system for cargo clearance.
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Hassan Bello made the call when he led the agency’s management team on a visit to SIFAX Port & Cargo Handling Services, Five Star Logistics Limited and APM Terminals in Lagos, recently.
According to him, adoption of automation will improve cargo clearance, minimize the current gridlock being experienced in Apapa and reduce human traffic at the terminals.
Bello added that the Ease of Doing Business Executive Order is realizable when there is synergy among various players in the transport and logistics chain.
He emphasized the need for all terminal operators to register with the Council in addition to maintaining functional websites and proper records of daily transactions, which would help regulators and government in policy formulation.
The Executive Secretary reiterated that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as Port Economic Regulator is interested in ensuring international best practice, adding that if other countries could attain the minimum operating standards at the ports, Nigeria should strive to achieve it.
He said the Council is determined to embark on a periodic audit of all terminal operators both manually and electronically.
Responding, Abayomi Obadare, Wolfgang Schneider and Chris Ulliet, General Managers of SIFAX Port & Cargo Handling Services, Five Star Logistics and APM Terminals respectively expressed optimism that the visit by officials of the Ports Economic Regulator (NSC) had given them an assurance that their present operational challenges would soon become history.
It could be recalled that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council recently embarked on a visit to various stakeholders in the transport industry, as part of its statutory mandate to address anomalies and challenges facing key players in the industry