The Nigerian government, recognizing the critical role of efficient seaports in economic growth, has taken a decisive step towards streamlining port operations and enhancing the ease of doing business. The Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) jointly launched the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC), signaling a concerted effort to tackle long-standing challenges hindering optimal port performance. This initiative aims to significantly reduce cargo dwell time, vessel turnaround time, and customer processing time, ultimately boosting trade and investment. Vice President Kashim Shettima, speaking at the inaugural meeting, emphasized the importance of transforming the narrative of missed opportunities in the maritime sector into one of unlocked potential and enhanced economic prosperity.
The PCEC’s mandate extends beyond mere problem identification; it is tasked with implementing concrete solutions to address bottlenecks that have plagued Nigerian ports for years. The committee will focus on collaborative action, involving terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and regulatory bodies. The collective goal is to improve infrastructure, enhance operational efficiency, ensure compliance, and reduce bureaucratic hurdles. This shared ownership approach acknowledges that a concerted effort is required to overcome the complex challenges hindering port efficiency. The Vice President stressed that the PCEC is not merely an observer group but an action-oriented entity charged with driving sustainable improvements in service delivery. He underscored the significance of moving beyond policy formulation to practical implementation and tangible outcomes.
Shettima highlighted the substantial losses incurred daily due to inefficiencies, emphasizing the missed opportunities in job creation, goods delivery, investment realization, and economic growth. He reiterated PEBEC’s commitment to eliminating bureaucratic obstacles that impede business activities at Nigerian seaports. Since 2016, PEBEC has spearheaded over 200 reforms across various sectors through collaborations with ministries, departments, agencies, and the private sector. The Vice President emphasized a renewed focus on implementation and measurable results, underscoring the PCEC’s pivotal role in translating reforms into tangible improvements. The committee’s structure fosters a reform ecosystem encompassing all stakeholders, promoting collaboration and shared responsibility for achieving efficiency goals.
Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of NPA, outlined the agency’s four-pillar strategy for repositioning Nigerian seaports to compete effectively with regional counterparts. This strategy centers on investments in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human capacity development. Dantsoho highlighted the dilapidated state of port infrastructure, particularly in Apapa and Tincan Island Ports, both of which are long overdue for major rehabilitation. He noted the recent government approval for the reconstruction of these crucial ports, a move expected to significantly enhance berth depth and cargo handling capacity, thus contributing to improved operational efficiency.
The NPA is also collaborating with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to implement the Port Community System (PCS), a critical component of the National Single Window initiative. This system aims to digitize port processes, eliminating paperwork, reducing human intervention, and promoting transparency. By minimizing manual processes, the PCS is expected to lower costs, enhance efficiency, and boost revenue generation. Dantsoho stressed that the NPA is actively investing in upgrading the skills of pilots and technical personnel to meet the demands of modern navigation and port operations. He emphasized that achieving optimal efficiency requires a collaborative approach, with all stakeholders working in unison to improve service delivery.
This concerted effort to enhance port efficiency signifies a significant step towards facilitating trade and investment in Nigeria. By addressing critical infrastructure needs, streamlining processes, and promoting collaboration among stakeholders, the government aims to transform Nigerian seaports into competitive hubs that drive economic growth and development. The PCEC’s focus on implementation and tangible outcomes promises to translate policy reforms into real-world improvements, unlocking the immense potential of the maritime sector and contributing to Nigeria’s overall economic prosperity. The emphasis on collaboration and shared responsibility among stakeholders underscores the recognition that achieving sustainable improvements requires a collective effort. This initiative marks a pivotal moment in Nigeria’s pursuit of a more efficient and competitive maritime sector, poised to contribute significantly to the nation’s economic future.
