COVID-19: NSC calls for collaborations among Maritime stakeholders to support Federal Government to sustain port operations

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donated protective gears for port users worth N5m–}

…. donated N5,000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) sum to COVID-19 centres both in Lagos and Abuja.

…. providing buses to and from the ports during Lockdown.

 

Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) calls 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.

In a statement endorsed and released by management saying In line with the directives of His Excellency President Muhammadu Buhari in his nationwide address on 29th March 2020, Nigerian Shippers’ Councilidentifieswith the proactive measures put in place by the Federal Government through the Presidential Task Forceon Covid-19, Federal Ministry of Health, National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), Port Health Services, Security Agencies, etc., to curb and curtail the spread of the deadly COVID-19 virus in the country.

 

“The President has made it clear that ports stay operational.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.  The President also directed 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.

 

The statement said “In that regard and to ensure uninterrupted supply of crucial commodities, the 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. The agencies/organizations/services exempted are:

1.     Nigeria Customs Service;

2.     Nigerian Ports Authority;

3.     Nigerian Shippers’ Council;

4.     Nigerian Railway Corporation; (Freight services)

5.     National Inland Waterways Authority;

6.     Port Health Services;

7.     Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency;

8.     National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control;

9.     Standards Organisation of Nigeria;

10.  National Environmental Standards and RegulationEnforcement Agency;

11.    All Seaport Terminal Operators;

12.    Shipping Lines/Agencies;

13.   Dock Workers;

14.   Stevedores;

15.   Freight Forwarding Services;

16.   Cargo De-consolidators;

17.   Barge Operators;

18.   Marine and Port Police;

19.   Cargo Truck Drivers;

20.   Banks; and

21.   Any other service user or provider at the ports.

 

NOTWITHSTANDING the above, the NSC made it cleared that “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.

 

Furthermore, these exempted agencies, organizations, services and their personnel 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. 

 

The statement stressed further that “Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), 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 withall 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.

 

In addition, as an intervention, NSC management has donated protective gears for port usersworth N5m to be distributed to relevant field and operational staff. However, 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 8 am 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)

In the statement “Nigerian Shippers’ Council said it 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.”


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