The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has said  that it would collaborate with the APM Terminals, Apapa to reduce operational cost at Nigerian ports.
The Executive Secretary of the council, Mr Hassan Bello stated this on Monday  during a tour of the APM Terminals in Apapa.
Bello said that it was the desire of the council for Nigeria to become the preferred destination of cargoes.
He commended the management of the terminal for the “huge investments” it had made in the terminal, saying that that the Federal Government would safeguard the investments of concessionaires.
“I need to remind you that one of the cardinal reasons the ports were reformed for operations was cost.
“Costs must come down relative to operational climate with the services that are being rendered at the ports.
“We are working for you in many ways. We are trying to see that things are not arbitrarily done.
“The government agencies would not increase their tariffs, especially for you to operate. If it is going to happen, then it must be done scientifically.
“And what is a little bit worrying is sometimes the impunity – people just fixing prices for themselves without recourse to the authority. This would not do for good business operations.
“Here we are; Nigerian Shippers’ Council; very, very important partner to you. We are not regulators, we are moderators. We want to moderate every aspect of maritime activities.
“So as to get the efficiency that is needed and we have always tell people that we are in competition with some ports here.
“We need to improve our ports because the destination of cargo is at the feet of the consignee and consignee always goes to a place where everything is favourable to him.
“We want Nigeria as a whole to be the preferred destination for cargo.”
The executive secretary said that it was important for the council to be responsive to the problems of the terminal operators.
He lauded the company for the rail transport project being introduced to help in the delivery of cargo to the Northern parts of the country.
Responding, Mr Femi Ransome-Kuti, the Deputy Managing Director of APM Terminals, said that the management of the company had been able to resolve 70 per cent of its problems, including cargo handling.
Also speaking, Mr Sunil Bansal, the Chief Financial Officer of APM Terminals, said that the management of the company would work closely with NSC, being the regulator.
“We are definitely committed to Nigeria; we are here to stay. You are aware we are not only talking about the port here; we are taking about the Badagry port – much larger dominant.
“Of course, a lot of discussions are still ongoing. That is the commitment we have till date.
“Once we start our presentation, you will see we have invested like 350 million dollars over the last nine years in the terminal and more is still ongoing.
“When we started the terminal nine years back, the dream was to make the terminal a world class and today we are happy to say that this terminal is equivalent to any other terminal in Europe.
In terms of infrastructure, in terms of system, in terms of processes, we are absolutely equivalent.
“This is the only terminal in Lagos, which is connected with the rail to the hinterland.
“We have two lanes inside, two trains can come simultaneously and if Nigeria Railway Corporation can support in terms of providing train, we can connect to the other parts of the country very, very easily making the entire system very efficient.
“People do not have to come to Lagos to clear their cargo; it can be cleared at their doorstep.”