Hassan Bello, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is to hold a one-day Consumer Consultative meeting with shippers, shipping agencies, freight forwarders, government agencies and trade groups in Aba, Abia on July 30.
This is contained in a statement made available to newsmen in Lagos by the Deputy Director Public Relations of the NSC, Ignatius Nweke.
The statement explained that the meeting would create a useful interactive platform to address certain international trade issues bothering port users and other stakeholders.
It said, “The programme is expected to be attended by users of shipping services in the import and export value chain and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.”
The statement noted that the meeting would address among other things, clearing of cargo at the seaports, haulage rates, port charges, cargo safety and security.
It said that issues like port procedures and processes, port infrastructure, inspection and examination agencies at the seaports and the new port order, would be discussed.
“The meeting is one of such interactive programmes to be organised by the NSC in major commercial cities of the country with a high concentration of shippers.
“It is aimed at, among other things, reaching out to stakeholders and proffer solutions to how best to achieve the new port order being advocated by the council,” the statement said.
It noted that a similar meeting had been held in Port Harcourt in Rivers, being one of the cities in the Eastern geo-political zone with a high concentration of shippers.
The statement noted that the Northern and the Western Zones would take their turns later in the year.
By Pita Ochai
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