...Donates Protective Gears Worth N5million For Port Users
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has called for synergy amongst port users and government agencies to support the Federal Government in containing the scourge of the deadly virus while making it possible to sustain port operations during this period.
The Council identifies with the proactive measures put in place by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Force on Covid-19, Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Port Health Services and other Security Agencies in order to curb and curtail the spread of the deadly Corona virus in the country.
It will be recalled that President Muhammadu Buhari in his nationwide address on 29th March 2020, made it clear that ports stay operational.
According to a press statement made available by management of the Council, it states that port workers, users and providers of services as well as government agencies are part of essential services and should have unfettered access to the ports.
It was also directed by the President that there should be movement of cargo as long as they have been subjected to necessary checks. For cargo delivery and evacuation from seaports to be effective, interstate cargo movement by road and rail should not be restricted.
In line with that and to ensure uninterrupted supply of crucial commodities, the statement reads that following services shall remain open during this period, albeit with minimal operations to enable the ports function, while access will be restricted and closely monitored.
It also reads that the agencies, organizations and services exempted are to include the Nigeria Customs Service, Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Nigerian Railway Corporation (Freight services), National Inland Waterways Authority, Port Health Services, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency, National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control,Standards Organisation of Nigeria and National Environmental Standards and Regulation Enforcement Agency
Others includes all Seaport Terminal Operators Shipping Lines/Agencies, Dock Workers, Stevedores, Freight Forwarding Services, Cargo De-consolidators, Barge Operators, Marine and Port Police, Cargo Truck Drivers,Banks and any other service user or provider at the ports.
The statements reads further that, notwithstanding the listed field and operational officers as well as essential staff of the above agencies/organizations shall be granted access and freedom of movement to and from the ports, upon presentation of valid means of identification duly issued by the respective agencies, organisations and services listed above.
These exempted agencies, organizations, services and their personnel it reads, must operate in accordance with guidelines issued by health authorities in that regard.
This present situation has indeed caused unimaginable disruption of the logistics supply chain. Users and providers of services are seemingly unable to carry out their obligations for reasons beyond their control. Nigeria Shippers’ Council, as Port Economic Regulator and an arbiter, is conscious of the fact that obligations, responsibilities, duties and rights may have been frustrated. Therefore, Nigerian Shippers’ Council is discussing with all parties so that a balanced solution can be achieved especially the issue of demurrage and incentives to facilitate the clearance of goods from the ports.
The devastating effect of the corona virus (COVID-19) has made it mandatory for these restrictions which we believe are critical to the reduction of transmission of the disease so that health professionals can cope with the challenge.
As an intervention, the Council has donated protective gears for port users worth N5m to be distributed to relevant field and operational staff. The Council also donates the sum of N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) only to be used collectively in the fight against Covid-19 in Lagos and Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
In addition, in order to ease movement of accredited freight forwarders who have business to conduct at the ports and other port users, Nigerian Shippers’ Council is providing buses to and from the ports. The buses will leave the following locations at 8am during this period with effect from 1st April, 2020:Festac (by Apple junction)Okokomaiko (at Alakija under bridge)Surulere (by National Stadium)Oshodi (at Charity bus stop)Ikeja(at Ikeja along bus stop)Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been inundated with complaints that banks are not offering services with respect to port operations. This, without doubt, hampers cargo clearance from the ports. The attention of the banks is, therefore, drawn to the Notice by the Federal Ministry of Finance and Central Bank of Nigeria, which allows operations in the financial system. We note that port operations as indicated by the President are essential and critical services.
