PRESIDENCY DEMANDS ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSION OF MANIFEST 7 DAYS BEFORE SHIP’S ARRIVAL

In a bid to enhance port operations, Presidential Enabling Business Environment council (PEBEC) has directed shipping firms operating in Nigeria to ensure that ship manifest wire electronically transmitted to relevant stake holders seven days before the arrival of the vessel.

This was made known during a meeting with maritime Stakeholders, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Jumoke Oduwole, said the council in January came up with a National action plan and directed the Nigerian shippers council to look at the shipping firms with a view to reducing dwell time and ultimately reduce cost.  She also said the policy was being proposed to make the ports operate seamlessly and enhance cross-border trading.

The Chairman, Shipping Association of Nigeria, Val Usifor also expressed the commitment of the shipping companies to work with the government and also highlighted one of the bottle necks encountered through delay in issuance of rotation number by customs and help to improve ease of doing business in the country.

The Executive Secretary NCS, Hassan Bello said the council has been assigned to ensure and moderate the transmission of shipping lines manifest to NPA and customs before arrival of vessels to Nigeria in order to ensure a conducive atmosphere for businesses to thrive in Nigeria adding that the cooperation and support of stakeholders would help move the industry forward.