Kingsley Unah.
The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has held a collaborative meeting with relevant Government stakeholders to birth strategies capable of enhancing a conducive environment for effective and efficient Trade operations in the Nigeria’s business landscape.
The meeting led by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola at the Ministry’s headquarters Abuja, had in attendance Minister of Transportation, Sai’d Ahmed Alkali, Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi and Managing Director Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC); Fidet Okhiria (Virtual Attendee).
A statement, released by the Nigeria’s Customs Service Director of information, Maiwada Abubakar, said the meeting is strategically designed to generate durable ideas that will ensure an enabling environment for business to thrive.
His statement partly reads “The primary objective of this collaborative venture is to deliberate and actualize initiatives that would not only open up ports but also foster seamless cooperation and trade facilitation. Asserting that the key focal point of the discussion was the strategic integration of the Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology (NIIT) to bolster operational efficiency in Nigeria’s Seaports.
Maiwada said the meeting entrusted the Comptroller General of Customs with the mandate to champion and prioritize cargo scanning over traditional physical examination methods.
The stakeholders resolved to repair and utilize all the existing Scanners at prominent seaports including Apapa, Tincan Island, Onne PTMT Seaports Simultaneously.
Assuring that the existing mobile scanners will be strategically deployed to facilitate expeditious cargo inspections.
Speaking further, in his statement, Maiwada said, On Rail Freight to Inland Containers Depot/Dry Ports, a strategic move to ameliorate major congestions on ports will be put in place, adding that plans are rife for the efficient evacuation of containers from Port Harcourt to Aba, with future extensions envisaged for Onne Port”.
The forum also agreed to implement bypassing of Fixed Scanner during Rail Track Construction. Stating that this will ensure unhindered progression of scanning process during crucial infrastructure development.
Abubakar said, the stakeholders advocated for a Public-Private Partnerships for Scanning, Installation and Maintenance of the facilities. Maintaining that these collaborative model will sustain efficiency and foster innovation in cargo inspection processes.