FG Moves To Start Full Automation In Nigerian Ports

The federal government has started
moves aimed at achieving full
automation at the nation's seaports.
To this end, government's agencies
in the ports have been directed to
kick start the process of ensuring its
full implementation.
The move is aimed at drastically
reducing the cargo dwell time (CDT)
which is said to be one of the
highest in the world according to
World Bank reports.
CDT, which is the average time a
vessel spends in a port in the
discharge of its cargo from the time
of arrival to the point of departure is
one of the highest in the world.
According to the Bretton Woods
institution, Nigeria remains one of
the most expensive places to do
business in the world as a result of
the multiplicity of government
agencies, several channels of
payments, corruption, among other
issues.
On implementation, the full
automation will also reduce
corruption through the eliminating
human contact in the cargo
clearance chain.
Senior Special Assistant to the
President on Maritime, Mr. Leke
Oyewole, disclosed the decision of
the federal government to begin full
automation at the nation's seaports
at a stakeholders' forum with freight
forwarders organised by SON in
Lagos.
According to him, the plan of the
government is to ensure that the
automation exercise takes effect in
the next three months. All the
agencies of government involved in
one service or the other in the ports
have been informed of the federal
government directive.
He explained that the idea of
automation is that freight
forwarders can stay in their offices
or houses and complete all the
processes that can make them clear
their consignments.
He disclosed that the project would
be handled by world class
organisations, adding that Nigerians
have agreed to a shift of the
paradigm to be in tune with global
practices.
Oyewole said that the president is
worried about the influx of
substandard goods into the country,
adding that this has led to the death
and closure of many local
companies.
He called on freight forwarders to
obey trade regulations and
discourage importers from binging
in substandard goods because of
the havoc it was causing the
country.
Posted By David Aniemeka