The House of Representatives Committee on Ports And Harbours has pledged to ensure that ports and harbours across the country are better regulated and managed for greater efficiency.
The chairman House Committee on Ports And Harbours, Nnolim Nnaji, said this at an interactive session with all terminal operators and Nigeria Ports Authority Licensed Agents at the National Assembly Complex in Abuja on Thursday, 18 April.
He also said the House will continue to support the total rehabilitation and upgrading of the ports, harbours and allied services.
Nnaji said that the session was very crucial because of the invaluable role the sector plays in Nigeria’s economy and national life.
“It therefore presents us with an urgent need to effect changes that will restructure this unique and high-tech sector and position it to strategically compete in the global space.
“This sector is very dynamic and we must constantly review the standards, facilities and operational guidelines to keep pace with its obtainable global best practices.
“I wish to reiterate the Committee’s commitment to ensure that the sector remains one of the best through appropriate legislation and oversight to bequeath to Nigerians, Ports and Harbours that are properly regulated and better managed for greater efficiency”, Nnaji said.
He also said that it was important to professionalize the modus operandi of the sector to improve Nigeria’s Gross Domestic Product and revenue generation.
“We intend to collaborate with relevant stakeholders in the industry to ensure that appropriate avenues are created for its economic development and then make it a hub for better non-oil revenue generation.
“It is imperative to note that the House of Representatives will continue to support total rehabilitation and upgrading of our Ports and Harbours and allied services.
“We shall ever be ready to provide the necessary legislation and needed oversight to achieve this purpose”, he said.
He said it is pertinent to note that the Committee’s role is not only to oversight the NPA but also to partner with stakeholders in the sector to achieve maximum success.
This, he said, is taking cognizance of the government’s quest to increase revenue generation, port decongestion and boost infrastructural development for effective service delivery.
The lawmaker enjoined the stakeholders to bring their viewpoints and experiences on board as they will be invaluable in shaping policies and recommendations of the committee.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, Mrs Urunta Chinyere, told the committee that there was a need for the digitization of the operations of the agents.
She said that if the operators can adopt the model, it would enhance revenue generation.
“We observed that most of the terminal operators are doing partial implementation of what we ask for. They are not fully complying with what they are supposed to do”, Mrs Chinyere said.
The Managing Director of Five Star Logistics, Rigor Nazzari, said that his agency has fully complied with all the models.
He said that there are operator-specific issues at the terminals that need to be addressed by the council.
