Shippers’ Council Says Palletization A Temporary Measure

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has assured shippers that the palletisation of cargoes in containers which was part of the executive order issued by the Federal Government is a temporary measure.
President of the Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS); Rev Jonathan Nicole had in a recent interview with Shipping Position Daily lamented that palletization would lead to additional cost of shipping.
But Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council; Mr Hassan  Bello in a chat with our correspondent has assured that once scanners  are available at the ports coupled with the implementation of the Council’s Cargo Tracking Note scheme, it would be easier to un-stuff cargoes from containers during examination.
He said: "The Presidential Enabling Committee on Ease of Doing Business under the Ministry of Finance sent to Shippers’ Council the issue of palletization because they want it to ease cargo inspection and clearance, once the cargo is palletized, then it is easier to bring it out"
"But it must be an interim measure because we have had meetings with shipping companies and the organized private sector including MAN, NACCIMA and many others here at shippers’ council, we had the feedback from them and we have sent it to the ministry of finance"
"The ministry is going on a sensitization tour to talk still to see how it would be achieved, so there is nothing that has been concluded, but we think it is an interim measure because if we have cargo tracking note, and we have scanners, there might not be need for palletization".
"The concerns that have been raised is cost, the reduction of space in the container and environmental pollution, somebody have said that even the pallets could attract rats to the terminal.
“Our own is to listen and convey, we are the conduit between the government and the private sector", he added.