NIGERIAN SHIPPERS COUNCIL GIVEN TASK

Akwa Ibom State Governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio has tasked Nigerians Shippers Council to come up with an idea to ensure that Nigerians pay less demurrage at the sea port.
Chief Akpabio who gave the task recently when the chairman and members of the council paid him a courtesy visit at Governor’s Lodge, Uyo lamented a situation where Nigerian importers pay high demurrage for their goods at the ports.
He admitted that Nigeria is not a fantastic place for shippers particularly during this worrisome turn-around period, and stressed the need for the council to give inputs to make the country a maritime destination.
The Governor further challenged the council to address such issue as port decongestion in the country to help importers evacuate and convey drugs and detergents to the destination before their expiry date.
Chief Akpabio harped on the need for the council to partner with the state government particularly in the establishment of the proposed Ibaka Seaport which, according to him, measures about 15 metres deep without dredging and the deepest seaport in the country.
“I call on the Federal Government, Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and the Council to take interest in the development of the port to complement Apapa Port and others in the country. At the stat level, my job is to prepare the manpower for the merging shipping industry’, he remarked.
While acknowledging the challenges facing the council, the state Chief Executive observed “Nigeria is not an easy place. In council, you will see a lot of petitions and other distractions. But I want to encourage you to do your best to leave worthy legacies.
The Governor commended Mr. President for selecting men and women of integrity into the council and advised them to discharge their responsibilities with sense of honour.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Council, Dr. Maryam A. Alli had told the Governor that the council formed on February 17, last year with 22 state branches and charged with responsibility of supervising shippers, importers and exporters decided to hold a retreat in Uyo.
Dr. Alli who mentioned funding as a major challenge facing the council announced plans to decongest the five ports in the country and to install cargo tracking device in the seaports which help in generating revenue for the government to complement the nation’s crude oil.
She congratulated the Governor on the development strides, describing him as a “promise keeper and a dynamic person”.