Following allegations and misconceptions surrounding the inactivity in the operations of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) at the ports, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima has asserted the team’s ongoing efforts and commitment to enhancing port operations. This is even as he assured that the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) would soon be implemented.
Recall that there were claims recently alleging that the Port Standing Task Team headed by Mr Moses Fadipe has gone to sleep in its activities at the ports. It was specifically noted that corrupt practices at the port have been on the increase as well as the return of gridlock to port access roads.
These claims insinuated that lack of funding as well as other internal issues might be responsible for the recent inactivity of the PSTT, despite the giant strides recorded by the team in the past.
But, addressing journalists at the opening ceremony of a retreat for Senior Executives of the NSC last week in Lagos, the Executive Secretary, Mr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima debunked claims of PSTT’s dormancy due to funding issues.
Ukeyima reassured stakeholders that the PSTT remains active and dedicated to fortifying port operations. Contrary to speculations, he highlighted the team’s vigilance and its concerted efforts to elevate its achievements further to bring about more tangible improvements.
As a regulatory authority in the sector, the Executive Secretary said the council has adopted a comprehensive approach beyond the PSTT’s activities to ensure heightened efficiency across ports. Ukeyima underscored collaborative endeavours with crucial stakeholders such as the Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in a bid to streamline operations and mitigate congestion at port areas.
In his words: “I saw a publication on one of the online media saying the Port Standing Task Team committee was no longer doing its work and maybe it was not funded. I resumed in this office on the first of November this year and that makes it a month and some weeks that I have been in the agency. I have received briefings from the different departments and units including the PSTT.
“I know that the PSTT has made a lot of gains as we have discussed in our retreat here. So we are going to take the gains to another level because all that we intend to achieve in a very short time is to ensure port efficiency, so that we can increase the volume of trade.
“As a regulator in that sector, we need to do many other things; not just about what the PSTT is doing. There are many other things to put on board to ensure port efficiency and to reduce all the gridlock within the port areas. We are working together in collaborative efforts with other stakeholders including the Nigeria Ports Authority and the Nigeria Customs Service to improve port efficiency” Ukeyima noted.
Additionally, Ukeyima addressed the longstanding issue of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), acknowledging its historical underperformance and subsequent revenue setbacks.
The Executive Secretary of the Council disclosed the Ministry’s directive to prioritize the ICTN’s implementation, considering it a low-hanging fruit poised to yield significant revenue gains. He further stressed that behind the scene, the Council is orchestrating swift actions to actualize these directives.
Anticipating tangible advancements within a brief timeframe, Ukeyima expressed confidence in the imminent gains resulting from their proactive endeavours.
“There are so many things on the table. The ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is a new ministry and the President has decided to take the talk of diversification of the economy to another level by creating that ministry.
“The ICTN, all the years have not really taken off and that has really hampered Nigeria from a lot of revenue. The Minister has given us a directive that one of the lowest-hanging fruits should be the ICTN and we should make sure we begin to implement it. We are working behind the scenes and in a very quick and short time; we would see the gains that will come out of it” Ukeyima assured.
