Shippers’ Council Laments Infrastructure Gap in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain

Shippers’ Council Laments Infrastructure Gap in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain

Kasim Sumaina in Abuja

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has decried the general infrastructure gap in the country’s maritime domain.

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Emmanuel Jime, noted that the reality on the ground is that the sector is not anywhere near the level that it should be in order to deliver on the country’s infrastructure.

Jime made the disclosure when Presidents of Shippers’ Association in Jos, Benue, Niger and Kogi States visited him recently in Abuja
According to him, there is generally an infrastructure gap in our maritime domain. We talk about inter-modal means of transportation whether it is through our waterways, whether it is railways, whether it is road network. The reality on the ground is that we are not anywhere near the level that we should be in order to deliver on our infrastructure. That is a reality that we have to deal with.”

Speaking on the ability of the Council to deliver, he noted: “Can the shippers’ council as an agency do much about infrastructure gap or deficit? I am not sure. What we can do is advocacy and that advocacy is in partnership. So, when we say these are the challenges that our shippers are having and it is brought to us, it is our responsibility to escalate it.

“So, I can give you my word that wherever we have found that there is infrastructure deficit and gap, to the best of my ability, we will escalate that information and make sure government is aware that there is a gap that needs to be addressed,” he said.

On River Port, the NSC boss said it was not within the purview of the council to facilitate but that of NIWA, but NSC will discuss with the appropriate quarters to get solutions.

On re-establishment of NSC offices in Benue and Minna, he assured the shippers that plans were already underway to ensure its really establishments and reiterated the responsibility of the council which he said was the protection of shippers.

He said the NSC had been working and would continue to work to ensure moderation in the cost of shipping business in the country to ensure growth and competitiveness.

Earlier, the President, Benue Shippers’ Association, Mr Potter Yakubu, prayed the NSC boss to reinstate the council’s Benue Area Office and establish an inland container depot in Makurdi.

Yakubu said: “it is indeed sad to note that the closure of the Benue Area Office of your Council dealt a debilitating and frustrating blow to our concerted efforts to export drive. To this end, we are here to passionately appeal that you use your good offices to do the needful for us.”

Similarly, Benue State Government, he revealed is working in tandem with the association for the establishment of the Makurdi River Port, Stating: “Your partnering with us for the realisation of this lofty project will be highly appreciated.

“We wish to emphasise the comparative advantage Benue State has over several other states in terms of connectivity; roads, rail line, airport and the second largest river in the country, whose name the state bears, “Yakubu concluded.

Also, President of Jos Shippers Council Association, Mr. Mike Nwanaoshiri, lamented that the association had a parcel of land, which it has not been able to fence and get its title due to insufficient funds.
He prayed the NSC to assist in providing a warehouse, farm inputs and resolve other challenges such as organising sensitisation workshops and providing access to funds for members.

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