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… As Bello Plans Truck Transit Park in Rivers
The chief executive officers of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and the Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority of Nigeria (OGFZAN), Onne have agreed to work together to up-scale activities in the maritime and the oil & gas sectors as a strategic component of the Federal Government’s bid to drive Nigeria’s economy to the next level.
This is even as the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Hassan Bello says the council is planning to build a truck transit park in Rivers State.
This agreement was reached when the executive secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Hassan Bello paid a courtesy visit to the managing director of Oil & Gas Free Zone Authority (OGFZA), Chief Umana Okon Umana at his office at the Federal Ocean Terminal (FOT) in Onne, Rivers State.
The NSC boss, Barr Bello commended Chief Umana for his achievements at the OGFZA, which he said is demonstrated by the high status operators in the zone have attained within the maritime and the oil & gas sectors.
“We want to have a truck transit parks in Port Harcourt and Onne; a model facility that provides park services with facilities like hotels, restaurants, offices, shops, etc. Such transit parks are already operating in Enugu and Lokoja,” Bello said.
Requesting partnership between the NSC and the OGFZA for the establishment of inland dry ports, Bello disclosed that already the Federal Government, through the Federal Ministry of Transportation, has taken bold steps to link Kaduna with Apapa Port by rail.
He indicated that achieving maximum development and boost in trade within the maritime domain is a collective responsibility of all Federal Government agencies and stakeholders, emphasizing that it is important for the two agencies to work together and learn from each other on policy implementation in order to boost revenue generation and the nation’s economy.
The NSC chief executive also used the opportunity to request for the support and assistance of OGFZA management to enable the NSC acquire office facilities in Onne so that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council can have effective presence because of her new role as economic regulator of the ports.
Responding, MD/CEO of OGFZA, Chief Umana Okon Umana commended the Executive Secretary, Barr Hassan Bello, for his positive spirit and determination to reposition his council in scheme of things.
He re-affirmed that federal agencies are working for the same purpose, which is to galvanize and attain to the best interest of all Nigerians. “Moving forward, we will work together, collaboratively and in synergy with one another”, OGFZA managing director said.
On tariffs at the zone, Umanah said that responsibility for harmonizing tariffs paid by terminal operators and other agencies falls within NSC’s core mandate. He said that the OGFZA will do all within its power to support the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to succeed in their mandate at the zone.
He disclosed that most companies that operate in the Free Zone are licensed by OGFZA and assured that they will work together to attain mutual goals.
He also agreed with NSC that engagement and collaboration remain the best approach to doing things. He said they are willing to go back and review some provisions of the law so as to make recommendations that will be in line with prevailing circumstances.
He said his agency was already involved in discussions and engagement in order to improve the value chain. “I commend you for your bold initiatives on truck Transit Park. We will study the proposal with a view to see how to support it,” Umanah stated.
He said the NSC’s request on inland dry port is noted, and the dry port in Kaduna ought to have a free zone status to operate maximally, noting that it can change the economic profile of the area. He however observed that approving a free zone status is not automatic. There will be need to look at the cost and benefits first, including foreign direct investments and other stakeholders including vendors that do business to attract revenue to government.
Umana said about 5000 companies operate at the Free Zone, boosting the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP) and OGFZA will continue to provide the needed enabling environment to drive investment at the zone.