The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has revealed that it is willing to work with financial organizations, such as the Bank of Industry (BoI), to investigate credit agreements that might facilitate shippers’ access to capital and assist infrastructure development.
When representatives of the Abuja Shippers’ Association (ASA) paid a courtesy call to the Council’s Abuja Liaison Office, Dr. Pius Akutah, the executive secretary of the Council, said this.
According to Akutah, complete operationalization of the Baro Inland Port would necessitate considerable dredging, making the project capital-intensive, even though it is still a strategic asset for decongesting seaports and lowering logistics costs.
The head of the Shippers’ Council added that it is working with the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to expand cargo transit throughout the nation and upgrade rail transport infrastructure.
Earlier, Mr. John Ugwu, President of the Abuja Shippers’ Association, described the main issues facing shippers, pointing out that inadequate road infrastructure and an over-reliance on seaports continue to impede effective cargo movement.
Ugwu emphasized the necessity of a working national rail network and the opening of the Baro Inland Port, claiming that both would greatly lower the cost of logistics and make conducting business easier. He also bemoaned the challenges shippers encounter in obtaining reasonably priced credit.
Dr. Pauline Osasona, the Deputy Director of the Council’s Abuja Liaison Office, emphasized the advantages of becoming a member of a Shippers’ Association. She stated that these advantages include networking opportunities within the maritime and logistics value chain, effective advocacy, trade facilitation, and capacity building.
She urged shippers to use the forum to better interact with pertinent government bodies and solve business issues as a group.