- Director, Maritime Services, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Babatunde Sule (left), Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, PCS Consultant, NICo Arthur GE, and NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello Koko, at the presentation of the PCS report in Abuja…Tuesday
From Anthony Nwachukwu, Lagos
Efforts at enhancing the ease of doing business in Nigerian seaports advanced further Tuesday with the submission of the Port Community System (PCS) implementation report to the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in Abuja.
The PCS, which objectives include preventing unnecessary delay in maritime traffic, enhancing cooperation between governments and ensuring uniformity in formalities and procedures, aligns with the International Maritime Organisation’s (IMO) Convention on Facilitation of International Maritime Traffic (FAL).
Oyetola, who disclosed at the event that the implementation of the PCS was a key performance indicator in the presidential performance bond he signed for his ministry, noted that the adoption of the initiative would position Nigeria to benefit from global trade opportunities.
Oyetola commended the management of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for its foresight in seeking technical guidance from the IMO in the development of the PCS report, according to a statement from the ministry.
Assuring that he would play a lead role in achieving the objectives of the initiative, he urged the NPA to expedite the procurement process for appointing a company to deploy the PCS and to seek ministerial intervention where necessary, such as linkages with the Nigeria Customs Service and other relevant agencies.
He further commended the IMO team, project consultants and the International Port Community Systems Association (IPCSA) for their professionalism and dedication in coming up with the PCS report.
On his part, the NPA Managing Director, Mohammed Bello Koko, said that automation remained the most sustainable path to making Nigerian ports more efficient and competitive
According to him, “the implementation of the PCS would eliminate all forms of human interface and attendant delay that undermines the efficiency of our ports.”
Koko described the implementation of the PCS as a matter of national importance, assuring that the NPA would ensure diligence, determination and discipline required to make the initiative a reality.
Koko had recently got the buy-in of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, for the implementation of the PCS.
