– Lauds PIL Shipping
Esther Oritse
Lagos — The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers ‘ Council, Mr. Pius Akutah, has said that the agency’s activities as Port Economic Regulator will aid efficiency and competitiveness as well as improve on the cargo throughput.
Akutah stated this when the Global Chief Executive Officer Officer of PIL Shipping, Mr. Lars Kastrup and his team paid a courtesy visit to the NSC’s Headquarters in Lagos on Thursday.
The NSC boss lauded PIL Shipping for making Nigeria an investment hub and provision of logistics solutions, noting that it will be of immense benefit for both the PIL Shipping and Nigeria.
He also called on the shipping company to take advantage of Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) in their operations in the country.
He said that the Council is facilitating the development of Inland Dry Port to bring the shipping services closer to Hinterlands, adding that PIL Shipping has played a pivotal role in the provision of inland logistics for cargoes movement from seaports to hinterlands.
On the container indemnity, the Council boss maintained that NSC is trying to come up with a container regime for shippers to aid seamless trade.
Earlier, the Global Chief Executive Officer of PIL, Mr. Lars Kastrup thanked the NSC boss for the support and the robust relationship between NSC and the PIL Shipping.
Kastrup said that the shipping company is encouraging the shipment of Nigerian exports to different parts of the World, noting that Nigeria is a driver of global trade.
He also unveiled plans to train their staff in Nigeria and expressed readiness to extend the training program to the Council’s staff to enable them to get acquainted with more operational skills, while the training session can be held in Nigeria.
In his contribution, the Regional Managing Director of PIL Shipping, Ghana, Kelvin Taylor urged Nigeria not to depend on oil but encourage export.
He applauded Nigeria’s government for its economic reform program which has a significant impact on the nation’s economy.