The Managing Director of Nigerian
Ports Authority (NPA), Mohammed Bello-Koko has said the planned port community
system (PCS) by the authority is also geared towards supporting the nation's
economy to harvest more benefits from the blue economy.
Bello-Koko who said this in
London where he is attending the 33rd session of the International Maritime
Organisation (IMO) General Assembly, described the initiative as a game changer
that will integrate all stakeholders within the maritime sector, promote
national economy and support security of vessels, crew members and cargoes
within the Nigerian maritime domain.
He also expressed optimism that
Nigeria will achieve the port automation and necessary integration ahead of the
IMO 2025 deadline set for member countries
The NPA MD who is on the
entourage of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON
and Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, Dr. Magdalene Ajani, added that the
PCS will foster transparency, support ease of doing business and trade facilitation.
He explained some steps taken by
the authority to set the PCS in motion ahead of the 2025 IMO deadline to
include development of automation-based processes. In time past, before the
introduction of e-sen, (Electronic Ship Entry Notice), it takes about two weeks
from the time of application to the time of approval and issuance of the ship
entry notice certification.
However, since the introduction
of electronic processing of ship entry notice, it takes about one hour for a
function that used to take up to one or two weeks, depending on the
idiosyncrasies of the man on the table and all the table the documents need to
pass through.
He said the system will save cost
of doing business and make our ports trade friendly by carrying out a function
of two weeks in one hour and enhance faster ship turnaround time
He added that NPA collaborative
efforts with the IMO to achieve a world class port community system is at an
advance stage and would soon migrate into implementation in line with global
standard.
Bello-Koko added that while in London, the Minister will lead Nigeria's delegation into series of bilateral meetings with Ministers of Marine affairs of Greece, Mexico and Qatar today to set the stage for improved Nigeria's participation in global maritime trade.
Meanwhile, sources at the meeting
volunteered that Oyetola who is leading the Nigerian delegation long with NPA
MD, NIMASA DG Will have bilateral meetings with Ministers of Marine affairs of
Greece, Mexico and Qatar today.
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