Chidiebele Obika | I-Witness News
Stakeholders in the maritime sector in Nigeria under the aegis of Nigerian Shippers Council (Onitsha Area Office) yesterday, at CJ Patterson International Conference Centre, All Saints Cathedral, Onitsha converged to chart a way forward for the full realisation of the Onitsha Inland River Port potentials.
In his keynote address, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council explained the activities of the Nigerian Shippers Council while calling on prospective members to register with a token at registration.shipperscouncil.gov.ng
He outlined the gains of the Onitsha River port when it becomes fully operational and opined that it’s going to serve every Nigerian.
Said he, “At Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Our key objective is to create an effective regulatory regime at Nigerian Ports which includes the Onitsha River Port, for the control of tariff, rates and charges and other related economic services. We also have as part of our obligation to ensure that shippers and other stakeholders are kept abreast of the current global happenings in international trade and beyond, thereby bridging the knowledge gap for economic prosperity.
“Registration will assist the Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), to build a database of service providers as well as genuine shippers and other stakeholders operating in the port system. This will enable the industry practitioners to transact business and operate in a safe and secure business environment. As well as sanitizing the ports, it will help to eliminate the challenges of faceless shippers in the port system”, he said.
In her remarks at the workshop, the Honourable Commissioner for Transport in Anambra state, Barrister Pat Igwebuike stated, “I’m particularly overjoyed to be here with you. Today, one of the final inspections for the Onitsha River Port was conducted and so, I bring you greetings from Mr Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo CFR.”
She observed that everyone is keying into the blue economy because of the vast opportunities it bears and informed that the Onitsha Inland River Port is the gateway to South East.
” Everyone is trying to key into the national transport blueprint. We are trying to have a launch of a 21st century transport scheme in Anambra and water transport is key. When it becomes operational, according to the concessionaire, it can run 12 containers an hour for a 10-hour shift.”
Continuing, the Commissioner said, ” more than 70% of containers that enter Nigeria end up here and we need collaboration for things to work. From the LGA through the state, to national and international bodies.
She ended her brief speech by stating that the future is golden and that it is our duty to rebuild our battered international image by doing what is right.
Other speakers like Egboka Ifeoma, Yusuf S and others suggested ways through which the river port can become truly operational.
