Shippers’ Council Decries Infrastructure Gap in Nigeria’s Maritime Domain

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has lamented the general infrastructure gap in the country’s maritime domain.

The Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Emmanuel Jime, disclosed when Presidents of Shippers’ Association in Jos, Benue, Niger and Kogi States visited him recently in Abuja, adding that the reality on the ground is that the sector is not anywhere near the level that it should be in order to deliver on the country’s infrastructure.

Jime said “there is generally an infrastructure gap in our maritime domain. We talk about inter-modal means of transportation whether it is through our waterways, whether it is railways, whether it is road network. The reality on the ground is that we are not anywhere near the level that we should be in order to deliver on our infrastructure. That is a reality that we have to deal with.”

Commenting on the ability of the Council to deliver, Nigerian Shippers’ Council  boss said: “Can the shippers’ council as an agency do much about infrastructure gap or deficit? I am not sure. What we can do is advocacy and that advocacy is in partnership. So, when we say these are the challenges that our shippers are having and it is brought to us, it is our responsibility to escalate it.

“So, I can give you my word that wherever we have found that there is infrastructure deficit and gap, to the best of my ability, we will escalate that information and make sure government is aware that there is a gap that needs to be addressed.”

On the issue of River Port, he said it was not within the purview of the council to facilitate but that of NIWA, stressing that NSC will discuss with the appropriate quarters to get solutions.

He assured the shippers that plans were already underway to ensure the re-establishment of NSC offices in Benue and Minna, and reiterated the responsibility of the council on the protection of shippers.

He revealed that the NSC had been working and would continue to work to ensure moderation in the cost of shipping business in the country to ensure growth and competitiveness.

Earlier, the President, Benue Shippers’ Association, Mr Potter Yakubu, appealed to  the NSC boss to reinstate the council’s Benue Area Office and establish an inland container depot in Makurdi.

“It is indeed sad to note that the closure of the Benue Area Office of your Council dealt a debilitating and frustrating blow to our concerted efforts to export drive. To this end, we are here to passionately appeal that you use your good offices to do the needful for us,” Yakubu said.

According to him, Benue State Government is working in tandem with the association for the establishment of the Makurdi River Port, adding “Your partnering with us for the realisation of this lofty project will be highly appreciated.”

He harped on  the comparative advantage Benue State has over several other states in terms of connectivity; roads, rail line, airport and the second largest river in the country, whose name the state bears.

On his part, the President of Jos Shippers Council Association, Mr. Mike Nwanaoshiri, revealed that the association had a parcel of land, which it has not been able to fence as well as get its title due to insufficient funds.

He urged the NSC to assist in providing a warehouse, farm inputs and to resolve other challenges such as organising sensitisation workshops a well as providing access to funds for members.