The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah has reaffirmed commitments to ensure port efficiency and effectiveness in furtherance to encourage investment by the terminal operators.
Akutah who disclosed this on Wednesday during his working visit to the corporate head office of ENL Consortium Limited and APM Terminals Apapa in Lagos respectively, stated that hike in tariff is not of priority to the Council but how to promote port efficiency.
The Executive Secretary who led some management team to the facilities reiterated that the Council would continue to encourage and support investment in port operations stressing the need for synergy with the concessionaires.
He noted that the engagement with the concessionaires would propel the Council to do more as the ombudsman in port operations, even as he stressed the need for public and private sector collaboration.
He commended APM Terminals for the huge investment of technology deployed to promote port efficiency.
On his next line of actions, the council’s boss stated that plans are ongoing to visit the eastern ports to further understudy the peculiar nature of port operations within the region.
Still harping on port efficiency , the Executive Secretary assured the concessionaires that the council will continue to engage critical stakeholders in furtherance to providing solutions to most of challenges affecting port operations.
According to him, the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy would soon promote policies to remodel the ports for effective performance.
Akutah further disclosed that the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy is ready to address challenges of decay infrastructure at the seaports .
Executive Vice Chairman ENL Consortium Limited, Princess Vicky Haastrup, while responding called on the federal government to support the concessionaires ‘ by providing a level playing field for business to thrive.
Haastrup noted that the company has invested hugely in port terminal operations since 2006 adding that the maritime industry has the potentials to surpass revenue generated from the oil and gas industry.
While at the Lagos Ports Complex (LPC) Government Relations Manager , APM.Terminals, Kayode Daniel told his guests how the port terminals was concessioned and commissioned between 2006 and 2008 respectively.
Terminal Manager , APMT, Steen Knudsen, on his part, explained how the concessionaire has invested hugely in human and capital resources development.
Highpoints of the visit to APM Terminals was the facility tour whereby the guests were taken around to understand how the port terminal operates.
