The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has unveiled operational manual for Inland Dry Ports to enhance efficiency at the ports across the country.
At the official launching of the manual in Kano State north Western Nigeria, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Mr Emmanuel Jime said it would address operational gaps, boost transparency and accountability in the sector.
Jime said the operational manual which would also be launched in Port Harcourt and Lagos respectively would provide detailed processes and procedures for the main activities of the Inland Dry Ports.
He said; “The strategic importance of producing the manual which articulates the step-by-step procedures for receiving, storing, handling and delivery of cargoes as well as highlighting the operations, the responsibilities of agencies and timeline for discharging such tasks was sine-quanon.
“The operators and the regulators are compelled to abide with the operational processes as contained in the manual.”
The NSC boss explained that activities in the operational manual include; container import by rail, container export by rail, container import by truck, container export by truck, customs controls and empty container storage.
Jime said the manual specifically describes functions and activities of the dry ports, lay out design and align dry ports operations to international best practices.
According to Jime, “the manual will be used as a measure of performance by the regulator and will be subjected to future review.”
He said the Ports projects were conceived as part of Nigerian Government’s reform programmes in the transport sector to promote efficient transportation and to engender trade facilitation.
The Minister of Transport, represented by Ewoche Victor, a Deputy Director in the ministry, said “the projects were developed through Public Private Partnership using the build, own, operate and transfer (BOOT) model.”
“The manual was based on best international practices adapted to local context, but not fully customised for each dry port and each port would have its specialties,” the Minister stated.
Ewoche Victor noted that effective operations of a dry port required seamless coordination between the seaport and other key stakeholders involved in port operations.
He described the launching of the manual as a milestone to fast-track the development and operations of IDP projects in the country.
Mercy Chukwudiebere
