The Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello; a former Managing Director, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA), Chief Adebayo Sarumi are to discuss the issue of high port charges and ports cost in the Nigerian seaports.
They will be joined by other maritime experts and stakeholders at the third edition of the Taiwo Afolabi Annual Maritime Conference tagged “Port Cost & Ports Charges – A Recurring Decimal Under Port Reform Regime” on August 17, 2018 at the University of Lagos.
In a press statement made available to SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, the Corporate Affairs manager of SIFAX Group, Muyiwa Akande, stated that Sarumi will chair the conference while and Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Forum, Otunba Kunle Folarin will deliver the keynote address.
The conference, which will be held in honour of Group Executive Vice-Chairman, SIFAX Group, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, is an initiative of the Maritime Forum, University of Lagos and SIFAX Group.
Other discussants expected at the event the include Director-General, Nigeria Chamber of Shipping, Obiageli Obi; Executive Director, SIFAX Offdock, Major Henry Ajetunmobi; Immediate Past Chairman, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA), Prince Olayiwola Shittu; General Manager, Nigeria Ports Authority, Captain Ebubeogu Iheanacho; Secretary-General, Abuja Memorandum of Understanding on Port State Control, Mrs. Mfon Usoro and Senior Partner, Bloomfield Law Practice, Adedoyin Afun, among others.
While speaking on the forthcoming event, Dr. Taiwo Afolabi, said the need to deepen discourse around topical issues in the nation’s maritime industry, as well as proffering practical solutions gave birth to the conference.
According to Afolabi, “The third edition of the conference would dwell on issues on ports costs and charges. This is necessary in view of the constant bickering that has continually ensued between the port users, regulatory agencies, agents and importers despite the port reforms embarked upon in 2006 which aimed at making the Nigerian port system better. This has a negative economic impact for all stakeholders, including the government.
“Distinguished experts have been invited as speakers to provide practical roadmap that will lead to concrete and sustainable solutions to the problem. I look forward to the useful insights based on years of industry experience that they will bring to the conference. I am convinced that such insights would be useful to the industry, the government and participants.”
