NSC, SON urge ethical practices in Nigeria’s shipping trade

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) have recently called on importers and exporters to champion ethical practices in Nigeria’s shipping trade.

This formed the basis of a one-day seminar held in Lagos which had as its theme ‘Ethics and integrity in shipping trade’

Speaking during the one-day seminar, the Director General of SON, Osita Aboloma bemoaned the persistent issues of false declaration and willful importation of substandard products or importation without undertaking the offshore conformity assessment (SONCAP).

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According to the SON DG who was represented by the agency’s Director, Inspectorate & Compliance Directorate, Engr. Obiora Manefa, “SON has been battling tooth and nail to curtail these non-conformances. Part of our approach was the massive sensitization of stakeholders in 2018, which we are going to continue this year.

“It is our belief that this seminar today will further educate our stakeholders on regulatory policies of the government in the maritime sector.”

Earlier in his presentation, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Hassan Bello urged operators to adhere to international best practices in the conduct of export and import businesses, stating that this will go a long way in actualising the agency’s drive for a new port order.

In the words of the NSC boss, “The goal of the Shippers Council is to promote an efficient port system that encourages healthy competition, enthrone transparency, facilitate trade, reduce the cost of doing business, and make operators aware of their businesses, obligations, and liabilities.

“We must commend the efforts of SON, our collaborative partner as well as a regulator in their own field, in partnering with us.”