To boost business efficiency at Nigeria’s seaports, the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) launched the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) on Thursday.
At the inaugural meeting in Lagos, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by PEBEC’s Director-General Zahrah Audu, emphasized that the committee aims to reduce cargo dwell time, vessel turnaround, and customer turnover while eliminating inefficiencies like duplicate documentation and manual processes.
The initiative seeks to unlock economic opportunities, create jobs, and drive growth by addressing long-standing issues in the maritime sector.
Shettima called for collaboration among terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and regulators to improve infrastructure, compliance, and efficiency while reducing bureaucratic bottlenecks.
The PCEC is tasked with implementing practical solutions, building on PEBEC’s 200+ reforms since 2016, with a focus on actionable outcomes.
NPA’s Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, highlighted four key areas for port improvement: infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human capacity.
He also listed the aging infrastructure at Apapa and Tincan Island Ports, which are set for government-approved reconstruction to enhance cargo handling.
The NPA is also collaborating with the International Maritime Organization to implement the Port Community System, a digital platform to streamline processes, cut costs, and boost transparency and revenue.
WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW
The launch of the PCEC marks a pivotal step toward addressing systemic inefficiencies in Nigeria’s seaports, with the potential to transform the maritime sector and drive economic growth.
The committee aims to reduce costs, enhance competition, and unlock opportunities for businesses and investors by focusing on infrastructure upgrades, digital transformation, skill development, and bureaucratic reforms.
However, success will depend on effective coordination, adequate funding, and a commitment to implementation. If executed well, this initiative could reposition Nigeria’s ports as efficient, modern gateways for global trade, delivering significant benefits to the economy and its citizens.
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