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Nigeria optimistic port community system report will boost ease of doing business

The Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola has received the report for the implementation of the Port Community System (PCS) in Nigeria, saying it will boost the ease of doing business goal of the Federal Gopvernment.

The minister said the implementation of the report would enhance the ease of doing business in ports within the country.

Oyetola was quoted to have spoken in a statement endorsed by his Spokesperson, Ismail Omipidan.

According to the statement, the PCS initiative is in line with the Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL) of the International Maritime Organization (IMO), aimed at preventing unnecessary delays in maritime traffic, enhancing cooperation between governments, and ensuring uniformity in formalities and procedures.

While disclosing that the implementation of the PCS was a Key Performance Indicator (KPI) given to his ministry by President Bola Tinubu, he noted that the adoption of the initiative would also position Nigeria to benefit from global trade opportunities.

 "Realising the importance of the implementation of the PCS on the fulfillment of the overarching objectives of the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Tinubu included the implementation of the Port Community System as a Key Performance Indicator for the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy under the Presidential Performance Bond I signed as a Minister,” he said.

While assuring that he would play a leading role in achieving the objectives of the initiative, the minister urged the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to speed up the procurement process for appointing a company to deploy the PCS and to seek ministerial intervention where necessary, particularly in areas outside their jurisdiction, such as linkages with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) and other relevant agencies.

He also commended the management of the NPA for their foresight in seeking technical guidance from the IMO in the development of the PCS report.

He commended the team from IMO, project consultants, and the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) for their professionalism and dedication in coming up with the PCS report.

The Managing Director of NPA, Mohammed Koko said automation remained the most sustainable path to make ports in Nigeria more efficient and competitive.

He said the implementation of the PCS would eliminate all forms of human interface and attendant delays that undermine the efficiency of the ports.

Koko, while describing the implementation of the PCS as a matter of national importance, assured the minister that the NPA would ensure diligence, determination and discipline required to implement the initiative.