Ports congestion: Shippers call for streamlined process

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has lamented cumbersome processes allegedly inherent in clearance of goods in Nigerian ports.

Speaking with journalists during a one-day seminar organised for members of the council in Ilorin on Tuesday, the South-West Coordinator of the council, Rotimi Anifowoshe, said there was need to streamline the processes.

“Ports are places where goods just come and move, but here we have cumbersome processes of clearance and documentations. We need to realise that profits in international shipping trade are driven by how strong the country is in its exportation.”

“Implementation of government reforms is on the part of everyone. The average Nigerian is looking for ways to cut corners. There are so many agencies at the ports. The cooperation of everybody is needed for the implementation of government policies,” he said.

Talking on the seminar, entitled: “Enhanced packaging and quality – a viable approach to improving Kwara state economy,” Anifowoshe urged states in the country to promote small and medium scale enterprises through exportation.

Mr. Anifowoshe, who said that the state government had demonstrated a strong commitment to drive exportation, added that “It is the way forward. I want to urge government to harness and market exportable products from the state. Government should encourage micro and medium enterprises to improve on its exportation.”

Speaking on the council’s challenges, NSC coordinator added “that the average Nigerian is talking about importation. No country can be a powerful shipping country when it is not driving its exportation.”

“The moment we understand that we need to move towards encouraging exportation for us to be competitive in international shipping, the earlier the better for you. If we don’t do it we are going to be having challenges because we will be at the point of disadvantage.”