The Federal Government has launched the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) to transform operations at Nigeria’s seaports.
This initiative is a collaborative effort between the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).
The PCEC is tasked with tackling persistent inefficiencies, curbing economic losses, and streamlining business processes within Nigerian ports.
Persecondnews reports that at the inauguration of the committee in Lagos, Vice President Kashim Shettima, represented by Zahrah Audu, the Director General of PEBEC, highlighted the urgency of the reforms.
Nigeria reportedly loses about N2.5 billion daily, amounting to N912.5 billion annually, due to port inefficiencies, missed opportunities and bureaucratic delays.
”The PCEC’s mandate goes beyond identifying problems. It focuses on implementing actionable solutions.
”Improving port efficiency will reduce cargo dwell time, accelerate vessel turnaround, and eliminate redundant paperwork.
”These will ultimately ensure greater customer satisfaction and economic growth,” Shettima said.
According to him, this reform is not limited to government efforts.
”The committee brings together private sector stakeholders, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and regulators.
”It calls for a shared commitment to infrastructure upgrades, compliance, and streamlined processes.”
NPA’s Managing Director/CEO, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, outlined four critical pillars for repositioning Nigeria’s ports, including investment in infrastructure, equipment, technology, and human capacity.
Dantsoho noted that major ports like Apapa and Tin Can Island have not seen major rehabilitation in decades.
”But recently, government approvals for reconstruction are set to change that,” he said.
On the technology front, Dantsoho said the NPA is collaborating with the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) to deploy the Port Community System (PCS).
PCS is a digital backbone for the National Single Window. This system will reduce paperwork, minimise human interface, and boost transparency and efficiency.
NPA boss also remarked that the government is also prioritising human capital development with ongoing efforts to train pilots and technical personnel to meet modern operational demands.
Dantsoho stressed the importance of inter-agency collaboration, noting that efficiency must cut across all segments for Nigeria to optimise revenue and compete globally.
The Nigerian Customs Service is also implementing new initiatives on ports operations.
The initiatives include the Time Release Study (TRS) to optimise cargo clearance and the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) programme to enhance trade facilitation and supply chain security.
These efforts are already yielding results, with noticeable reductions in cargo dwell time and ship waiting times at the ports.
Stakeholders, including the Navy and Customs officials, pledged support for the reforms.
They recognised the need for sustained investment, public-private partnerships, and robust security to attract foreign investment and ensure smooth port operations.
With the PCEC now in action, Nigeria is poised to unlock the full potential of its maritime sector. It will drive sustainable economic growth and position its seaports as competitive hubs in the region.
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