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US Central Intelligence Agency Director William Burns was holding talks with his Russian counterpart Monday in Ankara to warn him about the consequences of using nuclear weapons, which Moscow has threatened to deploy in Ukraine.
The White House National Security Council said the CIA chief was to deliver a message to Sergei Naryshkin, head of Russia’s SVR foreign intelligence service, “on the consequences of the use of nuclear weapons by Russia, and the risks of escalation to strategic stability.
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It said Burns was not meeting with Naryshkin to negotiate anything, as the Ukraine war is in its ninth month and Russia still occupies large swathes of Ukraine territory.
“He is not conducting negotiations of any kind.
He is not discussing settlement of the war in Ukraine,” the NSC said in a statement.
“We firmly stick to our fundamental principle: nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,” it said.
The United States has warned for months against Russia’s suggestions that it would use tactical nuclear weapons in Ukraine if its own territorial integrity was threatened.
Burns was also to raise with the SVR chief the issue of US citizens detained “unjustly” in Russia.
Russia has imprisoned US basketball star Brittney Griner on drug charges as well as Paul Whelan, an auto supply company official who was arrested in 2018 and convicted of spying.
Washington has reportedly offered a prisoner swap, with speculation that it is willing to exchange jailed Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout for the Americans.
Last week US President Joe Biden voiced hope that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin would negotiate “more seriously” to free Griner, who was sent to a penal colony on a nine-year sentence after her appeal in Russian courts failed.
“My hope is that now that the election is over that Mr. Putin will be able to discuss with us and be willing to talk more seriously about prisoner exchange,” Biden said.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has tasked maritime stakeholders on the importance of adhering to the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) in promoting efficiency and transparency in port operations.
The Executive Secretary, (NSC), Mr Emmanuel Jime, made the call at a two-day seminar on the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) held in Lagos on Tuesday.
The seminar had the theme, “Global Best Practices in Port Operations and the Industry Perspective.
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He said the conversations on obligations of various stakeholders, mode of terminal operations, shipping operations, attitude of truckers and role of dock workers as enshrined in the manual would provide beneficial information.
He noted that these information would add to their knowledge of the sector for everyone to foster operational efficiency in line with global best practices.
“I commend the doggedness and commitment of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) which has resulted to the laudable achievements recorded since the commencement of the operations of the team.
“The implementation of the Manual has facilitated the ease of doing business in our ports and has drastically reduced corruption tendencies.
“This seminar is put together by the PSTT, comprising the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
“The seminar is designed to provide participants with the opportunity to deliberate on subject of mutual interest, identify problems bedeviling the sector, and consciously proffering sustainable solutions,” he said.
He said the proper understanding and application of the manual would bring about cost-effectiveness, reduction of waste while maintaining quality of service.
He added that it would also bring about transparency in the conduct of port businesses, which would produce trust and goodwill while safeguarding the industry’s reputation among investors, partners, customers and other stakeholders.
“It is my belief that if relevant stakeholders and authorities comply with approved standards and rules as enshrined in the manual, challenges faced today will automatically ease off and pave way for seamless operations at our port,” he said.
Also, Mr Moses Fadipe, Coordinator PSTT, while discussing the overview and feedback on the manual urged all agencies to review their system to comply with the standard of the NPPM.
He also pointed out that the manual was designed as zero tolerance policy for wastefulness.
According to Fadipe, the teams at the port corridor are to arrest the logjam caused by trucks, adding that they have achieved some semblance of orderliness with the improved turn-around time of cargo examination.
“What this means is that more containers are examined and this increases the traffic of trucks moving out of our ports, from 125 in Apapa to 195, from an average of 170 in Tin Can to 230.
“So, with all these statistics, we know that more trucks are coming in to the ports,” he said.
Fadipe noted that the PSTT had instituted an enduring mechanism, which had aided them, such as advocacy, , intelligence gathering, introduction of registers for monitoring examiners and others.
He listed some of the hindrances experienced as: boarding officers, fragrant disregard to joint boarding on examination of cargo, excessive sample taking, boarding officers misinterpretation of information and misuse of power.
“The task team is inundated with complaints and suggestions pointing at serious barriers to business.
“Specialised civil society in the industry and private operators may be viewing agencies of government as too preoccupied with the idea of stopping trucks outside the ports for investigations.
“As representatives of the government, we are challenged to look inward to identify personnel that are compromising at cargo examinations leading to stoppages on the roads and bridges of the corridors.
“If it is a case of unskillfulness, it will be necessary that the capacities of the examination officials are built properly.
“These will serve to enhance the corporate image of our respective organisations,” he said.
Some stakeholders present at the seminar were the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Freight Forwarders, terminal operators, Nigerian Agricultural Quarantine Service and National Drug Law Enforcement Agency.
The stakeholders pointed out that the manual was not cast in stone and should be reviewed so as to be more effective.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Team Manager, visiting Tanzania Team, Ahmed Maroko, says his boys lost
by 2-0 in the second leg of the African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier match
due to their inability to read the game.
Maroko, in a post-match interview with newsmen, said that his team could not accurately read the game after the Eagles first goal.
According to him, my boys
played very well in the first half of the game, describing it as “a good game for the future” .
He said, “My boys played well, that’s football.
I think in the future we are going to get a good team.
“The boys need to be nurtured to have more experience.
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Also, Yusuf Salisu, the U23 Eagles Coach, said the team’s attacking line was the weakest they have now, adding that they would develop the team gradually.
Salisu said that two players were brought out in the second half to boost the attack of the team, which later changed their mentality positively.
“This team was put together within a short period.
We stayed here for two weeks and played many games.
We played against Tanzania, we drew one and won one.
“It is all about building a team and that is achieved gradually.
The first half was not easy, because the weather is harsh on the boys.
“Our ball circulation was slow.
In the dressing room, we agreed to step-up the circulation in the second half.
I believe we will still develop this team,” he said.
Salisu described their experience in Ibadan as very great, saying “they enjoyed the love and hospitality extended to them by the good people of Ibadan.
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Commenting, Success Makanjuola, the Team’s Captain, who scored the winning goal in the 68th minute of the game, said, “the game was won through unity among the players, discipline and submission to the instructions of our coach.
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According to him, we went into the game with determination to play for the Coach and Nigeria, having been told how important the game was.
“In the first half, we made many crosses to put pressure on the visitor’s defence and we were a little jittery.
“The coach gave us some instructions which we followed to achieve victory,” he said.
Makanjuola said that it was a great burden carrying the captain band, adding, “it is a great task with much responsibilities”.
The captain, however, said that he had started enjoying the responsibility because of the good people around him.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the Olympic Eagles scored the two goals through Oluwatumilehin Ogunniyi in the 62nd and Makanjuola in the 68th minute of the game.
NAN reports that Ogunniyi had opened the winning streak for the team through a free-kick, while Makanjuola had scored through a penalty kick taken after Ogunniyi was brought down in the 18-yard box.
NAN reports that among the dignitaries present at the stadium were Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State; Mr Sunday Dare, the Minister of Youth and Sports Development, as well as other members of the state executive council.
Others present were: Mr Bolaji Ojo-Oba; Dr Rafiu Ladipo, President-General, Nigeria Supporters’ Club (NSC) and some ex-international, Ike Shorounmu; Mutiu Adepoju and Dimeji Lawal.
However, as a motivation for the under 23 Olympic Eagles Team to make Nigeria proud by defeating Tanzania, Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo State, had donated cash gift N10 million to the Nigerian team ahead of the game.
Makinde, who had promised to be at the Lekan Salami Stadium, along with members of his cabinet, to cheer the players up, also promised additional 20,000 dollars (about N18 million) after their victory.
The governor had made the announcement of the cash gift on Friday night at a dinner hosted by the State Government for the team inside the Government House in Ibadan.
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NewsSourceCredit: NAN
A delegation from Afrobarometer (www.Afrobarometer.org), including Board Chairman E.
Gyimah-Boadi, CEO Joseph Asunka, Director of Analytics Carolyn Logan, and COO Felix Biga, is in Washington, DC, this week for a series of high-level meetings.
level commitments.
In partnership with the US Institute of Peace, the delegation will meet Tuesday with the US Agency for International Development (USAID) for a briefing on the Afrobarometer findings on governance, democracy, change climate, health, COVID-19 and poverty.
Meetings with the US State Department and the Center for Strategic and International Studies are scheduled for Wednesday.
Afrobarometer (AB) is a trusted source of high-quality data and analysis on what Africans think.
With an unrivaled track record of over 350,000 interviews in 39 countries, representing the views of 80% of Africa's population, AB is leading the charge to close the continent's data gap.
On Thursday, the delegation will hold talks with the Obama Foundation on youth, gender, and intergenerational dynamics, followed by a high-level roundtable discussion with top U.S. government officials.
The packed visit ends Friday with meetings at the World Bank and the US National Security Council (NSC) with Judd Devermont, special assistant to the president and senior director for African affairs at the NSC.
Afrobarometer data informs many global indices, such as the Ibrahim Index of African Governance, Transparency International's Global Corruption Barometer, and the World Bank's World Governance Indicators.
The data is also used for country risk analysis and by credit rating and forecasting agencies such as The Economist Intelligence Unit. All AB datasets are publicly available (http://www.Afrobarometer.org/) and can be analyzed for free using AB's online data analysis tool (https://bit.ly/3D6RMP6).
The Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA) says it will spearhead programmes that prioritise adoption of cleaner cooking fuels such as Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG).
Mr Farouk Ahmed, the Chief Executive Officer, NMDPRA, said the authority would also adopt technology to support Nigeria’s objective of achieving universal access to affordable, sustainable and modern energy by 2030.
Ahmed made the remarks at the 16th Oil Trading and Logistics Expo in Lagos on Monday.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that, the event, which is part of the Downstream Week, is titled.
“Regulating Downstream Energy Transition in Dynamic times.
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He said the authority would facilitate accelerated development of all key initiatives and projects that would guarantee optimal supply of gas from the abundant natural gas resources of Nigeria.
Ahmed pledged that the authority would work with key stakeholders to unlock the huge demand opportunities for use of gas in transforming the economic fortunes of the country.
He said the authority would also leverage the provisions of the Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) to spur gas development.
According to him, this will include concessionary royalties on domestic gas supply, concessionary tax regime for domestic gas infrastructure and co-financing of strategic gas investments.
“We will develop an investor friendly economic model for the domestic gas market by promoting the use of LPG as a cleaner cooking fuel alternative to biomass.
“Recent research has demonstrated that transition to LPG for clean cooking reduces air pollutants and overall global temperature reduction by year 2040,” he said.
Ahmed said: “However, today that dominance is being aggressively challenged by renewable energy sources.
“We are currently experiencing major developments in energy supply globally, with discussions on energy demand rapidly evolving and rallying around the need for energy supply to be guaranteed through cleaner and more sustainable sources.
“These discussions have metamorphosed into a compelling strategic case, which has emplaced another energy transition in this century,” he added.
The CEO said it was in the light of the current realities that all stakeholders in the energy sector and more specifically the downstream must ensure that the sector was properly positioned for enhanced performance.
He said this would entail the optimisation of technology, petroleum product quality upgrade, regional markets integration, HSE assurance, human capital development and strong regulatory enablement.
The NMDPRA boss said the authority was addressing the issue of fuel quality through strategic collaboration with key stakeholders in the petroleum products value chain such as Netherland Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT).
He said authority was also collaborating with NNPC Ltd., Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
“Our collaboration with the Nigerian Customs Service led to the suspension of import license for land border importation of petroleum products in order to eliminate sharp practices and enhance quality control.
“Further collaborations with NNPC Ltd., SON, NCS, Nigerian Society of Chemical Engineers (NSChE) and other key stakeholders on improving the standards of fuel utilised in Nigeria will continue,” added.
He said the strategic focus and scope of OTL Africa’s activities, which covered promotion and development of businesses, policies and operational relationships in the downstream energy value chain was highly commendable.
Also, Mr Mustapha Abdul-Hamid, the Chief Executive Office, National Petroleum Authority, Ghana, said projects such as Dangote’s 650.000 barrels per day refinery meant a breakthrough for the West Africa region when operational.
Abdul-Hamid said the Ghanaian government was also developing a 60 billion-dollar petroleum hub project on 20,000 acres in the western part of the country for storage and marine facilities.
“All the above-mentioned projects will help accelerate the petroleum hub, consisting of refineries, petrochemical development of the continent’s oil and gas resources, by connecting the downstream to the upstream.
“It will promote cleaner fossil fuels and biofuels as the pathway to a just energy transition.
“Gas has been accepted as the transition fuel because gas is the least carbon emitting fossil fuel.
“Therefore, Compressed Natural Gas (C as a transportation fuel for example should be promoted in the downstream.
“The use of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) as a cleaner cooking fuel should also be encouraged,” said Abdul-Hamid.
According to him, Ghana will soon commence the implementation of the cylinder recirculation model to aid the increase of LPG use from 38 per cent to at least 50 per cent of households by the year 2030.
“We should support the reduction of sulphur in our fuels and harmonisation of fuel specifications across the continent as being promoted by the African Refiners and Distributors Association (ARDA).
“We should also look to promote the domestic production and consumption of biofuels such as ethanol, either as a blend into fossil fuels or for direct consumption.
“Ghana for example has a policy that allows transportation fuels to be composed of biofuels up to 10 per cent.
“Also, as part of the country’s transition plan, ethanol as a cooking fuel will be promoted,” he added.
He said government regulations played a vital role in ensuring that the implementation of a just transition where there were no drastic job losses and no stranded oil and gas assets on the continent.
He said regulations and incentives led to greater innovation, and in turn, allowed companies to commercialise more rapidly oil and gas assets.
“We must, therefore, steer our countries towards low carbon economies and net zero energy sector, but prioritise economic growth and development in the process.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) has charged the inaugurated Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Anti-Corruption and Transparency Monitoring Unit (ACTU) to live by example.
Prof. Bolaji Owasanoye, Chairman, ICPC gave the advice at the inauguration and induction of NSC ACTU members in Lagos on Friday.
Owasanoye, represented by the ICPC Lagos State Resident Commissioner, Mr Kabiru Elelu, urged the new NSC ACTU chairman and members to ensure that all the mandates of ICPC were kept to the best of their abilities.
“The creation of ACTU is a directive from Federal Government since 2001 for all Ministries, Department and Agencies of government.
“The ACTU members should be above board, live by example.
It is expected that they will do all that the ICPC does.
“ICPC is not only about enforcement, it investigates, report or violation of corruption and whatever vices, charge offenders to court where necessary, but it has a unique duty of preventing corruption from happening.
“It educates the public against corruption and these are explicitly stated in the ICPC Act,” he said.
He urged ACTU members to carry out system study of practices and procedures of managing director operations with a view of detecting those areas prone to corruption and recommending ways to prevent it from happening.
“We all know the effect of corruption and it is a great factor to where we are in the country today, in terms of the economy, how we are living or security challenge that we have.
“For these reasons, members must lead by example.
To have been found worthy of membership, you should know that the nomination was not automatic.
“All your curriculum vitae was submitted to ICPC, who screened and asked questions before they agreed you all being members of ACTU,” he said.
Also, Mr Oliver Chukwu, Chairman ACTU, Federal Ministry of Transportation (FMOT), noted that the ministry was fully in support of the inauguration and whatever it takes to support the fight against corruption.
“On my own part as the chairman of ACTU, FMOT, I also support this and I call for the training of members as the fight for corruption is not an easy thing.
“Very soon they will be doing system audit.
This is not to expose anybody but to find out what you are not doing well.
If there are loopholes in the process, they will correct it.
“They are rendering assistance to the council, it is better they do it and prevent what will be a problem,” he said.
Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, NSC, while congratulating the inductees challenge them to always remember to be honourable and not give or take bribe.
“This programme is to inaugurate the Shippers’ Council staff who had been cleared and approved by the ICPC to become members of ACTU in the council.
“You will agree with me that in the public service, government employees are regarded as representatives of the government of the day and therefore is expected to manifest the attitude of zero tolerance anti-corruption as advocated by the government.
“Our mission statement that promotes an effective and efficient transport economic regulatory system that will contribute to economic growth of the nation has imposed on us additional requirement of higher integrity in order to achieve our mission of becoming the nation’s foremost regulator.
“I congratulate the inductees and remind them that the task ahead of them is enormous and I have no doubt that they will deliver on this additional assignment with trust given to them,” he said.
Mrs Adaku Okam, newly inaugurated NSC ACTU Chairman, assured NSC and ICPC, under which framework ACTU draws its order and the supervisory ministry, FMOT, that they are together.
Okam noted that their togetherness was not only by ACTU activities but by nationwide fight against corruption which was also a global agenda.
“The newly inaugurated NSC ACTU pledges to serve diligently at all times and in the spirit of commitment to the common goals and in accordance to the principles of NSC and ICPC.
“This is a great opportunity for us and an enormous task.
I believe we will bring special perspective on ACTU activities and sustain a corruption-free organisation.
We can do it.
The NSC ACTU members are Mrs Nkechi Emeruwa, Secretary, Mr Zubairu Muhammed, Mr John Bongko, Mr Hamzat Maina, Mrs Habibat Aminu, Mrs Oriyomi Ige.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) has sought the collaboration of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to aid trade facilitation in Africa.
The Chairman, ICC Global Customs and Trade Commission, Mr Segun Olugboyegun made the call when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the NSC’s headquarters on Wednesday in Lagos.
Olugboyegun said that the visit was to ensure strong partnership with Shippers’ Council following its promotion of trade facilitation in the maritime sector.
The Executive Secretary, ICC Nigeria, Mrs Olubunmi Osuntuyi, during a presentation on ‘‘ICC Global Customs and Trade Facilitation Commission,’’ said the ICC was championing the adoption of digitalised customs’ processes.
Osuntuyi stressed the need for industry engagement on emerging policy issues within the World Customs Organisation (WCO) in areas such as circular economy and data transfers in regional trade.
According to her, ICC requires NSC’s involvement in their capacity building programmes.
She added that the NSC had participated in some of their programmes in the past.
Also speaking, a member of the delegation, Mr Vincent Olu, commended the NSC for the pivotal role it had played on trade facilitation in the maritime sector.
He called on the council to extend this synergy to other institutions such as banks for trade promotion.
Responding, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, while appreciating the ICC’s visit said the NSC promotes seamless trade and carry out activities beneficial to shippers in the country.
Jimeh said that the council recognised the importance of International Commercial Terms (INCOTERMS) such as Cost Insurance and Freight, which Nigeria had adopted for export products.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The National Assembly has summoned the Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Mrs Zainab Ahmed, the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Godwin Emefiele to appear before it on Thursday on the state of the award of scanners that had been adjudged not functional.
The Comptroller- General of Nigeria Customs Service (NSC), retired Col. Hameed Ali is to also appear before the Joint Committee on Customs and Excise.
The Chairman of the joint committee, Sen. Francis Alimikhena, gave the directive during an investigative hearing on Sunday in Abuja.
Alimikhena said that the contract was given to Webb Fontaine by the ministry of finance to provide the IT infrastructure for the Nigeria Customs Service for effective scanning activities.
Not happy with the development, Alimikhena frowned at the absence of the Minister, the CBN Governor and other stakeholders that were involved.
He said that the minister of finance, the CG of Customs; the CBN Governor, Webb Fontaine Limited and other stakeholders must appear before the Committee on Thursday, Sept. 29
He warned that no representative would be attended to as the issue at stake involved revenue generation to the country.
Alimikhena said: “We want to see the minister, the CG Customs, the CBN governor, President.
of the
National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF).
“We do not want to see any representation; we want to take a decision about Nigeria, this is about the revenue of the country.
Webb Fontaine is very important in this matter, they have made serious money in this country.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says the council will partner the Institute of Chartered Shipbrokers (ICS) to ensure professionalism in the council.
Jime said this when the executive of ICS, led by its Chairman, Dr Chris Ebare, paid him a courtesy visit at the council’s headquarters in Lagos on Thursday.
According to Jime, the institute of chartered shipbrokers has skills relevant to the industry.
“Shippers council as an institution is knowledge driven because the nature of the functions and mandate we exercise requires that we will have a knowledge based agency.
“This is because unless we approach the industry from the point of knowledge, then we are not actually able to regulate it well.
“So, whatever we need to do to enhance our understanding of the workplace, to be able to perform regulatory roles, must be encouraged,” he said.
The council boss urged Ebare to discuss with the head of human resources desk to fine tune the modalities for the training.
Jime noted that he was conversant with the institute’s intermediatry and negotiating roles, and its benefits to the shipping industry, hence partnership between the NSC and institute was desirable.
“If for instance I want to buy a ship, I need someone who has the skills to be able to perform the negotiation that will lead to my ability to get one and likewise in chartering a ship,” he said.
Also, Mr Sesan Ajayi, Vice Chairman, ICS, noted that the council as a port regulator needed continuous training for its workforce.
According to Ajayi, topics are not just thrown at participants, but that they look at challenges and areas they need to add value.
“In respect of functions from the regulatory services to the advisory services, we have customised service that we can render in an in-house practical training, not open ended courses.
“After the training we do have feedback from the supervisor of those that participated in the training to know the way forward,” he said.
Earlier, Ebare pointed out that the visit was to ensure that the council’s workforce was in tandem with what was obtainable in the world.
He noted that the meeting was a follow up to the existing relationship with the council, and to continue to guide the council aright in terms of ship development, operational management and others.
He said a major problem faced ICS was that most maritime industry players did not make use of experts in the country.
According to him, it is expected that before a ship is bought, experts will be consulted to advise on the position, sea worthiness of the vessel, but that is not the case.
“Presently, the federal government sells wrecked vessels in the country without the advice of the chartered ship brokers unlike what is obtainable in other countries.
“We wrote to the ministry of justice on this and urged them to advice government on the best practice,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Wednesday said the maritime industry required more support to enhance its contribution to the nation’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, said this at the Maritime Anti-corruption Network (MACN) and the Convention on Business Integrity (CBI) Port Users conference held in Lagos.
The conference had the theme: ‘Retooling of the Maritime Sector for Stronger Economic Growth.
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According to Jime, as an import dependent nation, it is critical for the government to support and pay more attention to the industry’s issues and needs to allow the industry realise its full potential.
“The way forward is investment in infrastructure, provision of rail linkages and development of other transportation modes for cargo evacuation in the Nigerian Ports.
“There should be synergy among government agencies involved in port operations to adequately address issues of overlapping functions.
sustenance of the implementation of Ease of Doing Business Action.
“Also needed is the speedy passage of proposed Port Reform Bills at the Presidency and National Assembly and Implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note,” he said.
Jime added that the Nigerian maritime industry had developed overtime, but there was still a compelling need for continuous development of the industry to attract potential investment to enhance the country’s economic performance.
He pointed out some of the interventions by NSC to reposition the industry as: removal of over 70 illegal check points along the lagos port corridors, improved the number of containers examined daily from average of 120 in the past to 230 containers.
Dr Evelyn Ngige, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and Investment, called on the need to bring out solutions that would make the nation’s port user friendly.
Ngige represented by Mr Abdullahi Usman from the ministry, stated that stakeholders when asked why they did not use Nigerian ports attributed it to high cost regulatory fees.
“There is need to dredge the ports, come out with trade hubs, address issues of security and these will chart a new way for the country,” she said.
She added that making the ports in the country operational was of essence as the country was preparing for the implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA).
Earlier in his address, Mr Soji Apampa co-founded, CBI, said the purpose of the conference was to examine the policies, practices, opportunities, and next steps in addressing the lingering challenges in port operations.
He noted that these challenges affected all categories of stakeholders in the maritime sector.
“The conference will also evaluate the extent to which the strategies and tool, like the introduction of Standard Operating Procedures, Grievance Reporting Mechanisms and Learning Management System deployed through MACN Nigeria Project improve institutional compliance practices,” he said.
NewsSourceCredit: NAN
