- Amaechi Tasks Stakeholders on Transparency at Ports
The Minister of Transportation, Mr. Rotimi Amaechi, has tasked stakeholders to promote transparency, accountability and elimination of operational impediments to greater economic performance in Nigerian ports.
He said this during the commencement of a programme designed to make the Nigerian ports a regional trade hub at the Calabar Port.
Amaechi, who spoke during the unveiling of the Standard Operating Procedures and Service Support Portal, restated the Federal Government’s resolve to improve operations at the nation’s seaports.
According to the minister, the ultimate goal of the project is to ensure efficiency, cost effectiveness and speedy clearance of vessels and cargoes to match global standards at the ports.
“In the face of the current global economic recession, there is no better time to make our seaports more user friendly and internationally competitive than now,” he said.
Amaechi, who was represented by the General Manager, Eastern Ports, Abdullahi Goje, called for the collective support of major stakeholders at the ports and genuine commitment to the implementation of the ‘integrity plan’.
He also called for a collective resolve to promote transparency, accountability and elimination of operational impediments to greater economic performance in the Nigerian ports.
According to Amaechi, the 48-hour target for cargo clearance is realistic.
He said, “An important component of the project that facilitates the patronage of our seaports is anti-corruption. The SOP and PSSP have inbuilt provisions to prevent leakages and remove impediments militating against trade and investment.
“In order to enhance smooth flow of maritime traffic and trade issues of joint boarding of vessels, joint examination of cargoes and empty container return, among others, have been adequately addressed.”
The minister stated that the SOP and PSSP listed the functions of various agencies at the ports and defined their relationship with port users.
