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Shippers’ Council To Partner ICRC On Container Depots Dev

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8 years ago

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has emphasised the need to partner with the Infrastructure Concession Regulatory Commission (ICRC) in ensuring that transport facilities in the country are modernised for effective utilisation by investors, especially on Inland Container Depots (ICD) projects.
Speaking at a working visit by top officials of ICRC to the Nigerian Shippers’ Council at the weekend, in Lagos, Executive Secretary of the council, Barrister Hassan Bello, stressed the need for government to link  rails network with the ICDs, adding that the agency is the coordinator of such connectivity.
Bello noted that both agencies of the government are partners in progress to the development of ports infrastructures, pointing out that transport sector plays a dominant role in economic development.
The council’s boss further added that exportation of Nigerian products have been on the rise and it is important to note that there has been deficit in the transport sector in Nigeria which needs to be revamped.
Stressing the need for infrastructure development in the country in view of economic sustainability and modern investments, the executive secretary reiterated that, “ICRC provides the framework and development of transport infrastructures because transport drives the economy and important to have a modern system of transport in the country”
“Our partnership with ICRC is natural and we need to have one standard system of transport and we need guided partnership from them”
“What we are seeking is for Nigeria to have a world standard transport infrastructure which would drive the economy and trade facilitation”
“The dry ports must be of standard and of course must be state-of-the-art which must be driven by automation”, he stated.
Bello maintained that the ICD project would serve as a port of destination and origin with a view for them to be fully automated.
Responding, Acting Director-General, ICPC, Engr. Chidi Izuwa, said that the commission is the body responsible for regulation of Public, Private Partnership (PPP) in providing infrastructures for investors in the transport sub sector of the country.
Izuwa said that the partnership between both agencies of government is in line with the council regulatory role on Inland Container Depots (ICD) projects and Truck Transit Park (TTP).
The Acting Chief Executive Officers added that building a deep seaport at the moment would take a longer period upon completion adding that the fastest ways to increase port facility is to build dry ports.
He noted that the synergy will address issues surrounding the smooth operations of the ICD and to protect private sector led investments.
“We are working with the council to ensure that in line with the change agenda of his Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari  we can bring in the private sector to provide this facilities for the services for Nigeria”
According to him, the commission is to organise a capacity building programme for executive directors of the council as part of effort to boost and grow the transport driven sub sector.
“It is important to work with the council as an economic regulator to protect key projects in the ports”, he added.

Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos

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NPA Assures On Staff Welfare 

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6 days ago

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June 27, 2025

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The Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, has said the management will continue to accompany its port infrastructure  and equipment  modernization drive  with the development of the welfare of its personnel.
Dantsoho made the disclosure recently while responding to the commendation by the Maritime Workers Union (MWUN) and the senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations and Government-Owned Companies (SSASGOC) on the  clearing  of the age-long problem of employee stagnation, when the union paid him a courtesy visit at the Authority’s headquarters in Lagos.
A Statement by NPA’s General Manager Corporate & Strategic Communications, Mr. Ikechukwu Onyemekara, quoted Dantsoho as saying,  “our Port infrastructure and equipment modernization drive will go hand-in-hand with continuous staff welfare improvement”.
The NPA MD disclosed that human capital development constitutes the key strategy for creating and sustaining superior performance under his watch, adding that “talent development constitutes a critical success factor for the actualization of the big hairy audacious goals we have set for ourselves especially in the area of Port competitiveness.
“The only way we can meet and indeed exceed stakeholders’ expectations is to deepen the competencies of our human resources assets and boosting their morale.”
Speaking further, Dantsoho commended the Honourable Minister of Marine & Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for approving the strategic proposal of the Dantsoho-led Management team that solved the over a decade-long problem of lack of promotion that had fuelled industrial disharmony.
“I must specially appreciate our amiable Minister for graciously approving the multi-pronged stratagem we deployed that cleared all outstanding cases of employee stagnation by conducting examinations in one fell swoop and instituted timelines to forestall a recurrence of such anomaly”, he sad.
Speaking on behalf of the joint maritime labour unions, the President  of Senior Staff Association of Statutory Corporations & Government-Owned Companies (SSASCGOC), Comrade Bodunde stated, “In addition to clearance of the backlog of stagnated promotions, we also wish to express our appreciation for the increase in productivity bonuses, provision of end-of-year welfare packages for staff, and the revision of the Financial Guide to the Condition of Service, which now addresses our members’ concerns about inflationary pressures.”
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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ANLCA Chieftain Emerges FELCBA’s VP

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7 days ago

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June 27, 2025

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National Secretary of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Elder Olumide Fakanlu, has been elected Vice President of the Federation of ECOWAS Licensed Customs Brokers Association (FELCBA).
The election took place during the FELCBA Congress, held from Tuesday, June 17th to Thursday, June 19th, 2025, in Freetown, Sierra Leone.
Fakanlu’s emergence as Vice President marks a significant achievement for Nigeria within the regional customs brokerage community.
Apart from Fakanlu, Secretary of the Seme Chapter of ANLCA, Austin Nwosu, was also elected, securing the role of Secretary of Relations with Institutions.
The Nigerian delegation played an active role in the congress, with Michael Ebeatu nominated as a member of the electoral officer team, ensuring a fair and transparent election process.
The three-day congress concluded with delegates undertaking a visit to the Sierra Leone Port, offering insights into the host nation’s maritime operations, followed by a recreational trip to the Tokeh Beach.
The newly elected executives are expected to lead FELCBA in its efforts to harmonize customs brokerage practices, promote trade facilitation, and advocate for the interests of licensed customs brokers across the ECOWAS sub-region.
Nkpemenyie Mcdominic, Lagos
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NSC, Police Boost Partnership On Port Enforcement 

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7 days ago

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June 27, 2025

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In a bid to enhance more enforcement in the nation’s Port, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has reaffirmed its commitment to stronger inter-agency collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
The Council said the collaboration is aimed at enhancing stronger enforcement, compliance and improve operational efficiency across Nigeria’s ports.
Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of  NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, made this known during a visit to the  Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The visit, which he said, focused on strengthening institutional synergy, comes in the wake of growing responsibilities for the NSC under the newly created Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
Akutah emphasized the critical role of security agencies in supporting port operations and ensuring regulatory compliance.
He called for the posting of police officers to assist the Council’s monitoring and enforcement teams at key port locations including Lagos, Warri, Onne, Port Harcourt, and Calabar.
“The posting will complement the activities of our revived task teams and enhance our ability to enforce standards across the maritime logistics chain”, he said.
Earlier, the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Egbetokun, assured the Council of the Force’s readiness to continue supporting the growth of the maritime sector.
The IGP acknowledged that compliance enforcement is essential to the successful implementation of Nigeria’s Blue Economy objectives.
“The NSC and NPF are expected to deepen collaboration in the months ahead, with a shared focus on building a secure, efficient, and competitive port environment”, to the IGP emphasized.
Chinedu Wosu
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