• NEPC partners on establishment, operation of 12 national export warehouses

The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has said it is ready to scrap the container deposit scheme currently operated by shipping companies, describing it as “oppressive and fraudulent”.

Council Secretary Emmanuel Jime, who revealed it to reporters in Apapa, Lagos, said the council was about to introduce a container depot insurance scheme.

He said shipping companies in the country are more interested in the trust fund than in the shipping business itself, due to the huge money they make from it.

“One of the things we have put in place as a mechanism to deal with this is the container depot insurance scheme which works with the Federal Department of Transport, our line ministry, as well as the insurance companies.

“They are putting in place a regime which we believe would solve container depot issues in a much better, efficient and more cost effective way for the shipping community,” he said.

Jime, however, revealed that due to the lack of enabling laws to sanction errant port operators, the council entered into a partnership with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to sanction operators. who flout economic regulations in the country’s maritime industry.

He said he is optimistic that the agreement with the FCCPC will establish an effective consumer protection regime in the country’s maritime industry.

He said the two agencies have concluded the inauguration of a joint committee that will drive the implementation of the MoU.

Jime said the partnership is necessary because the legal framework that empowers the Shipper’s Council to intervene in disputes has limitations that do not allow it to sanction errant port operators as expected in the shipping industry.

“Several times, port users have come to us with complaints, which we are addressing. However, there are usually no sanctions as the Chargers Council does not have such sanctioning powers,” he said.

He added that the FCCPC is a government agency that has the power to arrest, prosecute and sanction, beyond the ability of the Board of Shippers.

He also added that the agreement provides additional support when NSC intervenes in commercial disputes between cargo owners, importers, shipping lines and terminal operators.

Jime added that there will be periodic visits to shipping lines and terminal operators to ensure compliance with the council’s regulatory mandate.

He also revealed that the council has collaborated with the Nigerian Export Promotion Council (NEPC) on the establishment and operation of national export warehouses, which led to the granting of approval to 12 warehouses. national export centers throughout the country for the start of operations.

He listed some of the facilities approved to begin operations, including GEZEWA Commodity Exchange in Kano State; MV EHILOMEL, Onne in Rivers State; ESSLIBRA in Ikorodu, Lagos State; Harris Logistics in Lokoja, Kogi State; Sealink Limited in Ajaokuta, Kogi State; Kaduna Inland Dry Port in Kaduna State and AMES-Edo Inland Dry Port in Benin, Edo State among others.

Jime also disclosed that the council has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on the operations of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) in the country, adding that work is underway to inaugurate the commissioning committee. work.

According to him, Dala Inland Dry Port is 95% complete for official commissioning and start of operations in July 2022, while Funtua Inland Dry Port is 85% complete for official commissioning. later in the year.

He also said the council is facilitating and overseeing the transfer of the Heipang-Jos Inland Dry Port Project to the Plateau Real Estate Investment and Development Corporation (PIPDC) to ensure the project’s completion and commissioning more late in the year.

Jime further noted that the council is promoting the establishment of an international maritime resource center in Jos and is working with the Adamawa State government to establish Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) and a center. Border Information Center (BIC) in Adamawa State.

He said the council was not relying on its oars to fulfill its mandate and ensure that Nigerian ports are competitive with neighboring ports in the West African sub-region.