Post COVID-19: Shippers Council Sensitize Operators On Need To Embrace “Smart Ports” and E-commerce
By DAPO OLAWUNI
Even as the Nigerian economy continues to grapple with the after effect of the Covid-19 lockdown on the economy, the Nigerian Shippers Council has stressed the need for all stakeholders in Nigerian ports system to embrace the concept of “smart ports” and adoption of E-commerce in line with the international best practices.
The council on Tuesday kicked off sensitization workshop on the theme: ”Trade Facilitation during the Covid 19 Pandemic Challenges, Lessons and the Way forward”
Speaking at the event, Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr Hassan Bello said the Covid-19 pandemic brought an unprecedented disruption to international trade and the global economy at large, as world production and consumption were scaled back across the globe.
He noted that the gaps experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic has demonstrated the need for the adoption of E-commerce in Nigeria, especially the digitalization of the port in order to reduce human-to-human contact and all forms of paper-based transactions.
Bello added that Government and private sector alike need to embrace the concept of “smart ports” in line with the international best practice.
He said “It is in order to keep up the momentum and review the operational activities during the lockdown that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council packaged series of sensntization workshop for stakeholders: relevant government Agencies and port service operators and users to discuss trade facilitation challenges, lessons learnt during this pandemic and to reflect on ways of actualizing a nationai action plan to cushion the adverse effects of the pandemic on the Nigerian economy”
“Distinguished participants, let me conclude by affirming the commitment of the Council to adopt the resolutions reached at this meeting and our determination to implement them in order to facilitate trade in line with the UNCTAD 10-point action plan” he said
Bello told the participants that the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) in its efforts to strengthen international trade and transport during the pandemic had released a 10point action plan contained in its policy brief No. 79 April 2020.
Some of the action plans according to him are; to ensure uninterrupted shipping and keep the ports open;
project international trade of and speed up customs clearance and trade facilitation; facilitate cross-border transport to ensure free flow of goods across borders; to ensure the right of transit.
Others are; to go paperless, as electronic submissions and paperless transactions become ever more important in observing the physical/social distancing; Protect shippers and transport service providers alike; and Prioritize technical assistance by investing in human, institutional and technology capacities.
Hassan Bello revealed that in order to address some of the challenges experienced at Nigerian ports during the lockdown, the Council came up with some remedial measures which includes meeting with shipping companies and secured 100% demurrage waiver during the period of COVlD-19 lockdown from 30th March to 4th May, 2020.
He said ‘Through NSC interventions, the CBN directed the Commercial Banks to open all branches within the port area to receive duty payments, confirm payments for bank drafts as well as online transfers and provide foreign exchange to shippers, shipping line
agents and terminals”
“Furthermore, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) direct the banks to provide foreign exchange to shipping companies to enable them fulfill their financial obligations to government agencies”
“Shipping companies and terminals were asked to upgrade their online services to discourage human contact at all times, especially during the COVID-19”
“Freight forwarders were asked to patronize online platforms of the Sipping companies and terminals such as the submission of documents, rotation number etc., and try to minimize as much as possible, physical presence at the terminals, banks and shipping company premises”
“We Met with truckers and secured a 30% reduction in haulage cost across the board;
We visited shipping companies and terminals to ensure compliance to safety guidelines on social distancing and personal hygiene as issued by health authorities”
“The NSC equally constituted a COVID-19 maritime task force to review port operation during the COVID-19 period and come up with remedial measures to fill identified gaps;
Council posted officers to designated shipping companies and terminals to monitor compliance to established safety guidelines as well as ensure prompt rendering of service to port users”
“Council met with organized private sector to jointly review port operation and proffer solution for improved efficiency;
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) granted free rent waiver during the lockdown”
