BY GODWIN OBI
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers’ Council, Barr Pius Ukeyima Akutah, has promised to do his best by reducing cargo clearance time at the ports from 48 to 24 hours, even as he promised to strive to put down solid structures for which he will be remembered.
In a recent meeting with the League of Maritime Editors on Monday, Barr Pius Ukeyima Akutah, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, outlined ambitious plans to streamline cargo clearance processes at the port. With a commitment to reduce clearance time from 48 to 24 hours, Akutah aims to enhance efficiency in the maritime sector.
Expressing pride in the achievements inherited from his predecessors, Akutah vowed to uphold the performance bond he signed with Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola. During the discussion, he emphasized the implementation of a cargo tracking note (CTN) and disclosed plans to have it operational by the 3rd quarter of 2024.
Akutah further pledged to build upon the solid foundation laid by past leaders of the Council. Demonstrating a forward-looking approach, he articulated his dedication to establishing tangible structures that will leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
The Executive Secretary’s commitment encompasses not only the optimization of cargo clearance procedures but also the development of enduring infrastructures to propel the Nigeria Shippers’ Council and the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy to greater heights.
The Executive Secretary said he was very proud of the landmark achievements he inherited seven weeks ago as Executive Secretary of the Council, vowed not to let the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, down on the performance bond he signed with him. “We have taken concrete steps to activate the cargo tracking note , we intend to deliver the CTN in the 3rd quarter of 2024′, he revealed. The Shippers Council boss identified some low hanging fruits which he intends to harvest in the next couple of months to include; a bill to amend 2004 Act which established the Council.
He said all things being equal, the bill would be passed into law by the second quarter of 2024, as according to him, deliberations have reached an advanced stage. He expressed worry about the poor funding threshold of the Council which depends on a paltry 2 percent port development levy. Akutah also explained that the Council was taking a second look at agreements it signed with Concessionaires of Inland Dry Ports, which in his thinking are flawed and required urgent review. The other low hanging fruits, he said, he would harvest, include the promotion of port efficiency which will reduce cargo clearance time from 48 hours to 24 and the introduction of an electronic traffic system. The Shippers’ Council boss also pledged to commence the implementation of the Advanced Cargo Tracking Note(CTN) before September, 2024. According to him the CTN, has the capacity to determine the type, and volume of cargoes that are imported into Nigeria through the seaports, within a specific period, and thus boost Nigeria’s security ,and enhance the Federal Government’s revenue from the seaports.
The scheme will be re- introduced , through the imposition of a minimal charge on imports into the country while , it is to be collected , via an arrangement by the Shippers’ Council , which has been given the mandate by the Federal Government , to implement it.
He confirmed that the new CTN would be re-introduced before the 3rd quarter of 2024, because its implementation was desirous , needed and over due for the economy .
Barrister Akutah said, that the implementation of the CTN must have to commence soon, because of its capacity to enable the country have data and details of the goods being shipped into Nigeria through the nation’s seaports , and for its security benefit , but also due to its capacity to boost government revenue at the Ports.
The Shippers’ Council CEO stated that the commencement of the enforcement of the CTN is also in line with the President Tinubu’s administration’s renewed Hope Agenda , which seeks to diversify the revenue base of the economy , and ensures that the Marine and Blue economy increases its revenue contributions to the nation’s consolidated revenue purse.
Akutah explained that as the economic regulator of the seaports, saddled with the responsibility to boost revenue from the seaports, the onus lies on the Shippers’ Council to ensure that the CTN becomes a reality again, as soon as possible.
Recall that the Chairman, House Committee on Shipping services, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki , had during the Shippers’ Council’s Special Management Retreat ,last week in Lagos, tasked the Council’s management to ensure that effective machinery is put in place for the implementation of the CTN soonest.
President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, had approved the re-introduction of the CTN and saddled the Shippers’ Council, with the management of the scheme.
The CTN was under the control of the Nigerian Ports Authority, during its first life, while its implementation was halted due to certain issues.
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2023-12-19
