In a bid to enhance transparency and efficiency in Nigeria’s maritime sector, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has launched an Online Registration Portal for regulated port service providers and users in Warri Port in Delta State. This exercise which was also carried out in Onne and Calabar Ports in the southeast region aims to provide an avenue for the Council to have a database of genuine port stakeholders.
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Barr. Akutah Pius, MON who was represented by the Deputy Director, Stakeholders’ Services, Mr. Celestine Akujobi, stressed that the portal will aid to create an enabling business environment. He urged stakeholders to register with the Council to avoid potential sanctions and ensure seamless transactions.
The benefits of the online registration portal, he said, includes; access to regulatory advice, trade information services, economic advisory services, advocacy and more. According to him, failure to register may result in the withdrawal of these services.
“In the aspect of revenue to the government, government will be able to say this is how much we are getting and all this will make our port to look like every other port we have in the world. Shipping is global, shipping is international, and ours cannot be different. The portal will give us that opportunity to do what other ports in the world are doing.”, Akujobi added.
The Assistant Director, Information and Communications Technology (ICT), Mr. Kenneth Harrison provided an overview and demonstration of the portal’s functionalities, including the issuance of digital registration certificates with QR codes for authenticity verification.
In an interview with the Shipper, Mr. Kenneth Harrison disclosed ongoing efforts to integrate all NSC portals into a unified platform named PERCOMS, to serve as a one-stop shop for streamlining stakeholders’ interactions.
Addressing “The Shipper” crew, the President, Delta Shippers Association, Dr, Austin Egbegbadia called on Nigerian Shippers’ Council to establish a Complaints Desk within the ports in the region for timely complaints resolutions.
The stakeholders in attendance lauded the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for the initiative and reiterated the need for continued sensitization.
The NSC’s commitment to digitalization underscores its role as a technology driven agency in the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy with the online registration portal facilitating seamless stakeholders’ registration. This initiative is a step in the right direction towards modernizing port operations and enhancing Nigeria’s competitiveness in the global shipping landscapes.
