The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has thrown its weight behind the multi-million tonnes cargo transit deal between Nigeria and its northern neighbour; Niger Republic.
Acting Director General of NIMASA; Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has restated the Agency's commitment to remove all barriers to seamless facilitation of transit cargo to the Republic of Niger through Nigeria’s sea ports.
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has thrown its weight behind the multi-million tonnes cargo transit deal between Nigeria and its northern neighbour; Niger Republic.
Acting Director General of NIMASA; Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has restated the Agency's commitment to remove all barriers to seamless facilitation of transit cargo to the Republic of Niger through Nigeria’s sea ports.
The NIMASA DG who gave this assurance when the Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission on Transit Cargo led by the Director General of the Shippers Council of the Niger; Mr. Oumarou Issoufou paid a courtesy visit to the Agency in Lagos recently, also noted that Nigeria and Niger can work together without barriers to ensure smooth passage of goods between both countries.
The NIMASA boss also expressed satisfaction with the activities of the Commission, specifically in the area of trade relations between Nigeria and Niger’, saying that both countries have a lot to benefit from each other on issues concerning trade.
“We will continue to share ideas on how to make the relationship better and remove all barriers to successful transit of cargo between the two countries using global best practices”, the DG said.
Earlier in his address, the Director General of Niger Republic Shippers’ Council, who spoke through an interpreter commended the Agency’s efforts in ensuring safety and security in the nation’s ports and also pledged the readiness of Niger Republic to co-operate with the Nigerian government for the interest of both countries.
“We have been to the Apapa and Tincan Ports and we observed the quality of safety and security available on the Nigerian waterways, which are commendable”, Oumarou stated.
He further appealed to the Agency to do its best to foster a good relationship between both countries.
Last week’s visit to NIMASA is in continuation of the Nigerien delegation’s wrap-up of the two country’s transit cargo arrangement which is being spearheaded by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
The Nigerien team has been in Nigeria for about three weeks, meeting with stakeholders who will be involved in the smooth transit of the almost 3Million tonnes of cargo that will be handled in Nigerian ports.
Prior to the visit to NIMASA, the Nigerien delegation had met with the Nigeria Customs Service, which also threw its weight behind the arrangement.
The Customs had also about two weeks ago promised that Republic of Niger shippers would enjoy easy transit of such cargoes to facilitate trade between the two nations.
The then-Comptroller General of Customs; Alhaji Dikko Abdullahi had said at the visit that most challenges faced by Niger in terms of delay of movement of cargo and issues at the various border posts would be resolved.
Represented by Mr John Atte, he had said: “The Customs has tried to see that we ease off the system so that goods can move faster; with the help of Shippers Council the system has been decentralised and capacity built.
"We have officers that are well trained to lead cargoes to the next environment; we have also noted the two weeks delay or more at the borders.
"In conjunction with Shippers Council we will look into the matters and make sure that those complaints are eliminated”.
The Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission on Transit Cargo was established with the aim of facilitating seamless transit of Niger-bound cargo through Nigerian ports. The delegation from the Republic of Niger comprising mostly economic operators was in Nigeria to inspect port facilities with a view to channelling most of their cargo through Nigerian ports.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that, prior to last week, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council; Mr Hassan Bello had in 2013 led a trade delegation, comprising port concessionaires, administrators, government officials and other shipping service providers, to Niger Republic to commence discussions on using Nigeria for the transit cargo for Niger Republic.
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