The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr Pius Akutah, has received and shared trade facilitation insights with Ghana Shippers Authority in enhance regional shipping.
Akutah hosted a delegation of Ghana Shippers Authority, led by Mrs Helena Amanfu, during their visit to the NSC headquarters in Lagos, on Tuesday.
The Ghanaian delegates are visiting to undertake a study of some of the Council’s activities and facilities, especially in line with judicious planning on service-based costs for optimal trade facilitation.
Akutah’s words: “We need to harmonize what is happening within our ports to make them competitive across all and see how we can promote trade even amongst ourselves before we can go to the Western world.”
“This visit to me is very important in terms of our partnership as brothers within the same sub-region. Ghana and Nigeria are like twin brothers and your coming here has brought enlightenment. I am glad in my heart that you have come and you will be with us for this number of days.
“I understand that you have the intention to see ports, to see things by yourself and get some of the statistics that will help you in this study. We will continue to support you for the remaining time you are here.”
The NSC boss also commended the Ghanaian group’s proposition to introduce an economic regulator for ports in Ghana, which he stressed that Nigeria has successfully implemented.
Speaking earlier, the Senior Freight and Logistics Officer, Ghana Shippers Authority, Mrs Helena Amanfu, who led the delegation to Nigeria commended the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and all the staff for warmly welcoming to Nigeria.
Amanfu said that without the assistance of NSC, their trip would not had been successful.
“So for that, we are grateful. This trip has been since 2018, there was a media uproar in Ghana, so the Vice-President of Ghana, Mr Mahamidu Bawumia, had set up a committee to identify indirect and direct targets and fees.
“This team constituted the Ghana Shippers Authority as the chair, and then other stakeholders in the shipping industry.
“So in 2018, the team undertook a trip to Cote d’Ivoire and then to Togo to undertake this study. In 2021, this was extended to Nigeria and then Senegal.
“The aim of this study is to look at the cost structure and the charges and fees by the various stakeholders in the shipping industry and how they affect the clearance process.
“In view of this, this year, the delegation are undertaking a trip to Togo and then we have come here in Nigeria and we intend to go to Cote d’Ivoire to undertake the same task,Amanfu said.
She said that Ghana was reviewing their acts as an evaluator adding that they intend to be an evaluator, just as the Nigeria Shippers Council.