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NSC explores avenues for promoting ports development, transport infrastructure, reduce bottlenecks

NSC explores avenues for promoting ports development, transport infrastructure, reduce bottlenecks

 

Segun Oladipupo

 

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Monday, explored ways to enhance Nigeria’s economic growth through diversification, industrialization, and investment in key sectors.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah disclosed this in a meeting with delegates from the Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investments and World Bank Nigerian Team.

Akutah told the visitors that the agency was open for collaboration in capacity building, SMEs growth and seamless trade facilitation across international boundaries.

Harping on the success of collaboration, the Council’s boss maintained that the collaboration with the Nigeria Customs Service for efficient border trade is already yielding results through improved automation of port operations.

He said” The council is a member of ECOWAS trade committee and other committees in a bid to promoting trade. The Nigerian Shippers Council has continued to promote border trade.

“The council is collaborating with USAID, Borderless Alliance , World Bank, Global Shippers Forum and many others in promoting development of ports and transport infrastructure and to further reduce bottlenecks at the ports.”

Speaking further, the ES explained that the council is working assiduously towards decongestion at seaports at both Tincan and Apapa ports

He again reassured the national trade facilitation committee that the Council would synergize with various national and foreign institutions to ensure seamless operations at the international frontiers.

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Earlier, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Doris Udoka- Anite stated that trade facilitation has been a focal point of discussions at national, regional, and international levels adding that the benefits of achieving harmonized, standardized, and simplified trading processes and procedures are immense and cannot be overstated.

Udoka- Anite who was represented by an Assistant Director from the Ministry, Dr. Brenda Max Nduaguibe averred that ” This is ever more important to small and medium scale enterprises where the NTFC helps create a more business-friendly environment for SMEs venturing into global markets.

 

She stressed that “This translates to increased competitiveness, growth potential, and a more level playing field.”

The Minister added that the objective of the visit to the port is to enable the World Bank team to fully understand the daily operations, inspection processes, trade bottlenecks to identify policy options to make trade seamless for the Nigerian government and to interact and engage with relevant government agencies present at the port to better understand their operations and day-to-day activities.

 

Appreciating management of the Council for robust working relationship, she thanked members of the Enhanced National Trade Facilitation Committee for their dedication and tireless work in fostering an environment of collaboration and synergy across Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), the Private Sector, and Civil Society, pointing out that “Your efforts pave the way for a more integrated and efficient trade facilitation framework.”

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She noted that the existing collaboration has been instrumental to advancing national trade facilitation goals, strengthening the economy, and positioning Nigeria as a leading trade hub in the region.

According to the Minister, the alignment with the triple mandate of the Ministry has helped in the prosperity of industry, trade, and investment in the country.

Minister prayed that the findings from this visit/ inspection will show that Nigeria through the eNTFC has been working tirelessly to ensure a harmonized, standardized, and simplified trading processes while assuring that the country is committed to achieving the goal and objective of the agreement.

Similarly, an Economist from World Bank at Washington, Aleksandar Stojanov said the visit was targeted at improving inter-state trade in Nigeria and to promote export .

Stojanov added that the world bank team is on a fact finding mission to promote trade facilitation in Nigeria.

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