The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has launched an Online Registration Portal for providers and users of port services operating at Onne and Calabar ports.
In his address, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Barr. Akutah Pius, MON said that the launching of the Online Registration Portal is in line with Nigerian Shippers’ Council Port Economic Regulation 2015, Part 11, Section 4(1).
Barr. Akutah maintained that the section mandates the Council to register all regulated service providers and users operating at the nation’s seaports.
The NSC boss, who was represented by the Director, South-South Zone, Mr. Glory Onojedo, described the launch of the Online Registration Portal as a milestone, upgrading the Council from manual to fully automated registration.
According to him, the registration will enable the Council to have a database of the port service providers and users operating at the eastern ports and consequently, provide an opportunity to identify genuine stakeholders at the port.
Assistant Director, Public Relations Unit, NSC, Mrs. Patricia Osuma who represented the Director, Zonal Coordinating office, South-South Zone noted that the portal is aimed at creating a seamless process of registration for regulated port service providers and users.
According to him, Nigerian Shippers’ Council as Port Economic Regulator institutes effective registration for the control of tariffs, charges and other related services at the ports.
He also said that NSC facilitates the development of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) and Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) as well as provides real-time information to cross border traders and other traders at regional borders through its Border Information Center (BIC).
The Deputy Director, Stakeholders Services, Mr. Celestine Akujobi, pointed out that the registration is mandatory for providers and users of shipping services. He said that the Council as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator will attend to genuine stakeholders that have registered with the Council through its Online Registration Portal. According to him, NSC has the regulatory power to sanction port stakeholders who fail to register.
The Deputy Director, Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Mr. Benjamin Irvwighreghweta, made a presentation explaining how the portal functions and the steps to register on it.
In his contribution, the President, National Shippers’ Association of Nigeria (NSAN), Engr. Innocent Akuvue, commended the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for developing the Online Registration Portal for providers and users of port services. Akuvue called on stakeholders to comply with the NSC’s directives by registering on the online portal.
Other stakeholders at the programme appreciated Nigerian Shippers’ Council for the initiative and called on the Council to address the issue of multiple agencies operating at the eastern ports.
In an interview with “The Shipper” crew, the President, Rivers/Bayelsa Shippers’ Association, Ofon Udofia lauded Nigerian Shippers’ Council for introducing an online registration portal for stakeholders in the South-South region, adding that this initiative will aid seamless operations.
His Royal Highness, Dr. Charles Amaize, Chairman, Export and Import Trade Group of Port Harcourt Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture was optimistic that the launching of the portal would address irregularities at the Eastern ports.
Addressing “The Shipper” crew, the Executive Secretary, Calabar Chamber of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture, Kenneth Ittah, said the launching of the portal was a step in the right direction particularly now that the government is working assiduously to actualize international best practices at the nation’s seaports.
