We’ll introduce reforms to enhance Blue Economy success, says Oyetola

*Visits Nigeria Shippers Council Headquarters in Lagos The Federal Government is committed to creating a conducive working environment for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to streamline the handling of overtime cargoes at all ports in Nigeria, ensuring effective and efficient service delivery. Adegboyega Oyetola, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, made this commitment during his recent visit to the NSC Headquarters in Lagos. Oyetola expressed his assurance that the government would address challenges faced by the NSC and implement necessary reforms to advance the Blue Economy agenda of the current administration. While he applauded the NSC’s contributions and achievements, he also voiced concerns over the deteriorating condition of port infrastructure, cargo overstay, and the activities of foreign fishing firms. The Minister emphasized that cumbersome bureaucratic processes contribute significantly to prolonged cargo clearance times, leading to frustration among shippers and the abandonment of containers at ports. Oyetola pledged to engage with the leadership of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to resolve the issue of abandoned cargoes and address related bottlenecks. During his visit, Hon. Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, highlighted key issues that require immediate attention, including amending the NSC Act to establish effective port economic regulation. Jime emphasized the NSC’s role as a policy-making laboratory in the marine sector and its objective to position Nigeria as the Maritime Hub in the sub-Western Region. Jime also cited ongoing concerns for the NSC, such as implementing a one-percent (1%) freight stabilization fee on imports and exports, enforcing the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), and establishing a National Fleet. He expressed confidence in Minister Oyetola’s commitment to making a positive impact on the maritime sector. In addition to the NSC visit, Minister Oyetola also met with the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN). Chinyere Uromta, the Acting Registrar, appealed to the Minister to reconsider the exclusion of CRFFN from the federal budgetary allocation. She highlighted the crucial role the Council plays in the freight forwarding sector, contributing to the integrity of the supply chain and the Nigerian shipping industry. Uromta emphasized that CRFFN operates as a federal regulatory agency and serves as an international regulator of freight forwarding practices on a global scale. She called for an urgent amendment to the CRFFN Act to align with its professional status. Oyetola commended CRFFN’s efforts and expressed a willingness to consider their request.

Oyetola directs immediate rehabilitation of Apapa, Tin-Can Ports

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has called for an immediate rehabilitation of the Apapa and Tin-Can ports in Lagos State, Nigeria. The Minister said this at the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) Headquarters in Lagos in a meeting with the Management and Staff of the Agency shortly after an inspection of facilities at the Lagos Port Complex. Oyetola, who decried the poor state of the collapsed quay sections of the ports noted that the Federal Government understands the importance of ports as it relates to the nation’s economic development hence, stressed the need for immediate commencement of infrastructural renewal of ports across the country. On the need to decongest the ports, the Minister disclosed that he was made to understand that about 6000 containers dating back to 2011 have been abandoned at the ports. According to him, such an act is a hindrance to better service delivery. He therefore, enjoined NPA to synergize with the Nigeria Customs and auction such containers. In addition, Oyetola stated that the current practice of physical examination of containers at the ports was an aberration and called for the deployment of scanners at all terminals. Speaking on the need to rehabilitate the ports access roads and movement to facilitate evacuation of freight through rail from the Apapa port, Oyetola promised to engage the Ministers of Works and Transportation to proffer solutions to these challenges. Speaking earlier, the Managing Director, NPA, Mohammed Bello-Koko, while welcoming the Minister on his maiden visit to the Agency, expressed optimism that his appointment will herald and provide the needed support for the Agency to amongst other things, secure the needed funds and approvals for the construction and rehabilitation of ports infrastructure in the country, restore 24 hour navigation at the Eastern port as well as work out modalities for increased patronage and bottlenecks affecting the Eastern ports.