FG addressing challenges to optimal utilization of Calabar Port – Shippers Council
From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The Executive Secretary and CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council Akutah Ukeyima says the government is presently addressing the challenges of optimal utilization of the Calabar Port.
He disclosed this in Calabar during a one-day enlightenment seminar on “Export of Agricultural Produce through the Calabar Port: Issues and Prospects” and organized by our Calabar Port Office.
Ukeyima said the ministry said the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is developing a new policy document and Port efficiency is part of it.
He said, “Government appreciates, and is currently addressing the challenges to the optimal utilization of the Calabar Port.
“Such as the shallow approach channel and berth draft, poor access roads, decaying ports infrastructure, inefficient port operations, and cumbersome processes and procedures.
“The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy is currently developing a holistic new policy document for the blue economy and issues of port efficiency is a major focus.
“Government is looking at moving from less than half a billion-dollar to a trillion-dollar economy in four years and the blue economy is one of the pivotal drivers.
“To achieve the target, hindrances to efficient port operations are being identified and speedily removed”, he said.
In his presentation, the Manager of the Calabar Port Olumati Festus said the Nigerian Shippers Council has a role to play in coordinating and grouping multiple shippers into one large whole such that the required cargo volume is attained to offset the cost of a liner vessel call to Calabar Port.
He assured that the Calabar Port of the NPA, together with the three private terminal operators are able and willing to grant waivers and other favourable terms to shipping lines and exporters as incentives to encourage the export of agricultural produce from Calabar Port.
On her part, the Cross River State Commissioner for Commerce Abigail Duke said the seminar is apt as it will enlighten stakeholders in the export business of the necessity of exporting goods through Calabar Port.
She expressed hope that the knowledge gained will encourage seamless export from the port.
In a seven point communique issued at the end of the seminar, the participants , demanded among others that government should address the infrastructure deficit mitigating export of agricultural goods from the port and also streamline taxes.
They also called on terminal operators to provide modern cargo handling equipment at their terminals.
The participants expressed displeasure at non-availability of liner vessels in the Calabar port and thereby called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Cross River State Government, Terminal Operators and shipping companies to come up with strategies to market the port in order to attract liner vessels to call at the port.
