Kunle Kalejaye 25 August 2015, Sweetcrude, Lagos – The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, NIMASA, has assured Niger Republic that it will remove all barriers to facilitate seamless cargo transit to that country through Nigeria’s sea ports.
The assurance was given by the Acting Director General of NIMASA, Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro, when the Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission on Transit Cargo led by the Director General of the Shippers Council of the Republic of Niger, Mr. Oumarou Issoufou, paid a courtesy visit to the agency in Lagos recently.Jauro also noted that Nigeria and Niger could work together without barriers to ensure smooth passage of goods between both countries.
The NIMASA boss also expressed satisfaction with the activities of the commission, specifically in the area of trade relations between Nigeria and Niger, saying both countries have a lot to benefit from each other on issues concerning trade.
Earlier in his address, the Director General of Niger Republic Shippers’ Council, who spoke through an interpreter, commended NIMASA’s efforts in ensuring safety and security in the nation’s ports and also pledged the readiness of Niger Republic to co-operate with the Nigerian government for the interest of both countries.
“We have been to the Apapa and Tincan Ports and we observed the quality of safety and security available on the Nigerian waterways, which are commendable”, Oumarou stated.
The Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission on Transit Cargo was established with the aim of facilitating seamless transit of Niger bound cargo through Nigerian ports.
The delegation from the Republic of Niger, comprising mostly economic operators, was in Nigeria to inspect port facilities with a view to channeling most of their cargo through Nigerian ports.
