Shippers Council Unveils Measures to Ease Port Operations Amidst Covid-19_Ada Nkong

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The Nigerian Shippers’Council has restated its commitment to ensuring a smooth port operation for stakeholders despite the Coronavirus pandemic across the globe.

Speaking on Tuesday in a statement signed by ports Management, the Council said it is providing buses to and from the seaports, even as the buses will leave designated locations at 8am during this period lockdown period with effect from 1st April, 2020.

The route includes : Festac (by Apple junction)
Okokomaiko (at Alakija under bridge)
Surulere (by National Stadium) , Oshodi (at Charity bus stop) and Ikeja(at Ikeja along bus stop).

Giving a breakdown of the stakeholders, the port regulator mentioned the following:
Nigeria Customs Service;

2. Nigerian Ports Authority;
3. Nigerian Shippers’ Council;
4. Nigerian Railway Corporation; (Freight services)
5. National Inland Waterways Authority;
6. Port Health Services;
7. Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency;
8. National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control;
9. Standards Organisation of Nigeria;
10. National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency;
11. All Seaport Terminal Operators;
12. Shipping Lines/Agencies;
13. Dock Workers;
14. Stevedores;
15. Freight Forwarding Services;
16. Cargo De-consolidators;
17. Barge Operators;
18. Marine and Port Police;
19. Cargo Truck Drivers;
20. Banks; and
21. Any other service user or provider at the ports.
    The Council further said it has received several complaints that banks are not offering services with respect to port operations pointing out that” This, without doubt, hampers cargo clearance from the ports.

“The attention of the banks is, therefore, drawn to the Notice by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria, which allows operations in the financial system. We note that port operations as indicated by the President are essential and critical services.

The economic port regulatory agency also called for synergy amongst port users and government agencies to support the Federal Government in containing the scourge of the deadly virus while making it possible to sustain port operations during this period.

According to the statement, as part of it’s intervention, Council donated protective gears for port users worth N5m to be distributed to relevant field and operational staff.
The Council also donated the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) only to be used collectively in the fight against Covid-19 in Lagos and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“In addition, in order to ease movement of accredited freight forwarders who have business to conduct at the ports and other port users, Nigerian Shippers’ Council is providing buses to and from the ports. The buses will leave the following locations at 8am during this period with effect from 1st April, 2020.

“Therefore, Nigerian Shippers’ Council is discussing with all parties so that a balanced solution can be achieved especially the issue of demurrage and incentives to facilitate the clearance of goods from the ports.

“The devastating effect of the corona virus (COVID-19) has made it mandatory for these restrictions which we believe are critical to the reduction of transmission of the disease so that health professionals can cope with the challenge.