Vincent Toritseju
10 December 2018, Sweetcrude, Lagos — THE Port Consultative Council, PCC has said that without inter-ministerial and inter-agency collaboration amongst institutions in the Nigerian maritime industry the industry will remain stagnant for a long time.
Speaking at a Seminar for maritime journalists, hosted by a Non- Governmental Organization, Maritime Industry Advocacy Initiative, MAIN, the Chairman, Port Consultative Council, Otunba Kunle Folarin said that the non-collaborative attitude of supervising ministries and regulatory agencies will continue to deny the industry the potential benefits of the industry.
Folarin explained that getting the port industry to deliver on its mandate will not be possible until a well-coordinated synergy is put in place.
He said that Nigeria is the only country that has not been able to achieve the United Nations 48 hours cargo clearance time.
He noted that until the Nigerian port industry is re-structured, reformed and well regulated, the industry will continue to go round in circles.
“Until we use the means that link every port users, we will never achieve the 48-hour cargo clearance time.
“Automation and inter-connectivity of the various agencies in the port industry will not only ease the current confusion but it will also remove the issue of a human interface which breeds corruption”. He said
He explained the laws establishing these agencies needs to be amended as most of the agencies have conflicting laws.
He suggested that the single window project will drastically change the face of cargo clearance in Nigeria.
Otunba also disclosed that there is conflict in the visions and missions of these maritime agencies and ministries adding that the inability to collaborate amongst agencies will continue to be an issue.
He said: “If there lack of cooperation, the detriment of the industry will continue in achieving the Project Nigeria the Federal Government is trying to build.
“Inter-agency collaboration will bring about a high compliance level in the industry, increased regional competitiveness and increased revenue generation”