The Chairman of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Governing Board, His Excellency Dr. Ibrahim Shehu Shema said continuous engagement with service providers will open doors for development in Nigeria’s ports.
Dr. Shema stated this when the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr. Pius Akutah MON led the Council’s Board and management on a courtesy visit to CMA CGM in Apapa, Lagos, on Thursday. He noted that service providers are pivotal in achieving the Federal Government’s one-trillion-dollar economy goal.
The NSC Board Chairman urged port operators to prioritize and expedite clearance of power projects, warning that delays could hinder critical investments in Nigeria’s electricity sector.
He emphasized the importance of port efficiency in delivering port infrastructure, calling on terminal operators to prioritize power generation, transmission, and equipment distribution.
The Chairman also stated that persistent bottlenecks in cargo clearance could undermine the Federal Government’s drive to improve power supply, noting that strict adherence to project timelines depend largely on seamless logistics.
He reiterated the need for stronger policy coordination to enhance collaboration across the value chain, adding that improved efficiency would boost trade volumes and government revenue.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC lauded the operators for the ongoing modernization efforts, which have improved cargo handling and vessel turnaround times.
According to him, the export volumes are quite impressive as some operators now record growth of up to thirty percent. This, he said, is an indication that Nigeria is moving toward a more balanced trade mix.
Dr. Akutah said the Board and Management of the NSC paid visits to shipping companies and terminal operators to inspect and evaluate their performance in service delivery.
The Managing Director of CMA CGM, Hinelder Ferreira, said the operators are committed to efficient service delivery through digitalized processes.
The Managing Director of APM Terminals, Kamal Alhraishat, highlighted APMT’s long-term investment strategy and attributed its milestones to digitalization and operational upgrades.
