Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has described the Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and the Port Service Support Portal (PSSP) put together by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) as very significant to the development of the national economy due to their benefits.
Launching both initiatives in Abuja yesterday, Osinbanjo said the harmonized SOPs of the agencies of government in the ports industry will drive economic growth in Nigeria, adding that the benefits will lead to more efficient port administration and ease of doing business in the country.
He said improved procedure in the ports was necessary as it will make trade easy in the country, adding that it was important for easy delivery of imports and export.
Osinbajo who said that the SOP and PSSP were in line with the economic blueprint of the federal government, commended the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for the initiatives.
He described SOPs and PSSP as laudable, saying it was a major achievement in the effort for efficiency and transparency.
According to him, productivity can only increase in an atmosphere of transparency and efficiency, adding that the federal government would continue to support efforts aimed at developing the economy.
The Vice President expressed believe that the SOP and PSSP will enhance port capacity. He therefore enjoined maritime industry stakeholders to support the project so as to realize its objectives.
In his speech, the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi said the adoption and harmonization of the SOP was to enhance transparency and accountability.
This, he said, will ensure the achievement of user-friendly business environment in the ports for greater economic performance.
“The SOP is generally regarded as a work reference guide that informs the general public on the process map of each port agency and operator.
“It will thus guide customers on what to expect at the ports and what they need to do to receive good quality services.
“The SOP helps to establish operational standards, foster accountability and thus serve as a corruption prevention tool,” he said.
Amaechi said that SOPs will minimize variation and promote quality through consistent implementation of processes or procedures within the organisation, even if there were temporary or permanent personnel changes.
“It is not contestable that having SOPs will contribute to knowledge management in the various organisations at our ports, as it would be used as part of their personnel work instructions and training programme.
“It is more important that the SOP can be used to achieve compliance with organizational requirements and governmental policies,” Amaechi said.
In his speech, the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr Hassan Bello, said the focus was to boost efficiency at the nation’s seaports.
He said automation would reduce leakages in the revenue drive of the federal government at the ports.
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