FG will ensure that Nigeria’s maritime sector gets into best of shape says Oloruntola

Oru Leonard 

The Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy/Transportation in Nigeria, Olufemi Oloruntola has stated that the ministry was created to address, harness and reposition the maritime sector and taking this into consideration, he assured that the ministry is committed to approach with purpose, the role of overseeing remarkable and notable difference at the nation’s ports.

The Permanent Secretary disclosed this when he received the Executive members of the National Association of Maritime Transport Operators (NAMTOP) at the ministry in Abuja, noting that for the ministry to realise these ideals, it will be accessible and open to formal correspondence with facts as well as propositions from critical stakeholders in the maritime sector.

Speaking further, Oloruntola identified as laudable, the coming together of about 20 associations to work under one umbrella saying that such an act facilitates communication and dialogue amidst other matters. He however, advised the association to drive home its mandate through a non-antagonistic dialogue with relevant government bodies to achieve its demands. The permanent secretary further assured that the complaints, the suggestions and the outcome of the specific meeting with NAMTOP will be brought to the attention of the Honourable Minister even before further correspondence from the trade association is received.

On his part, the National President, National Association of Maritime Transport Operators, Adeyinka Aroyewun who spoke on behalf of the delegation disclosed that the need for the visit was critical, to inform the Permanent Secretary of the association’s role at the ports, with most emphasis at the Lagos Ports, as well as to give verifiable information regarding developments within the ports as most often, information reaching Abuja and the ministry from Lagos, were usually misrepresented.

Furthermore, the President disclosed that the association is faced with several challenges notably the one concerning the Nigerian Ports Authority’s electronic call-up system (ETO).

According to him, the National Association of Maritime Transport Operators have been victims of the e-call-up policy which he noted has been more of a disservice to truckers than allegedly claimed by NPA.

The e-call up, Aroyewun stated only serves the purpose of generating revenue for the Government without addressing or proffering solutions of truckers in their quest to accessing port terminals. This is even as he indicted the Nigerian Ports Authority of charging truckers the sum of N25, 000 as against the approved levy of N10,000 payable for the use of the Truck Transit Parks.

The e-callup he disclosed, is not devoid of human interface, stating that payment of the levy is the only aspect that was electronically addressed. All other aspects he noted, involves direct human interphase.

Another of such affliction being faced by its members, Aroyewun disclosed, was the proliferation of fake Minimum Safety Standard (MSS) stickers to access the ports to the disadvantage of the business of other truckers. He therefore, appealed to the ministry to primarily address these challenges as their businesses are being affected negatively.