Interconnectivity is critical to Nigeria’s ports efficiency – Shippers Council

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello, has said that efficiency in Nigerian ports will be achieved if they achieve interconnectivity.

Barr. Bello also said the country’s ports must be linked to the hinterland via rail for the benefits to crystallize, adding that transport infrastructure is imperative for the efficacy of the ports.

He spoke on the sidelines of the 2nd seminar of Abuja Transport and Aviation Correspondents Association (ATACA), with theme ‘Financing and Developing Transport Infrastructure in Nigeria: Opportunities and Threats’ in Abuja.

“Efficiency of the port depends on its interconnectivity. One of the things which hinder efficiency is lack of linkage to the hinterlands. We have to connect the ports to many modes of transportation especially the rail,” he said.

He noted that the Lekki deep water port is a laudable project but might be limited by lack of connectivity.

While fielding questions on the review of port concession, Bello said all stakeholders in the port sector will have to get involved in the review, adding that the review will not be done on behalf of anybody.

He stated that the country needs to apply caution in the review to ensure that it is done not only well but very well. “We cannot review port concession on behalf of anybody, everybody must come together,” he said.

Also speaking at the seminar, Rector of Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, said the college has commenced partnership with state governments to encourage indigent students who are interested in taking up profession in aviation.

Abdulsalam said the college had started discussions with some state governors to see how such students could be identified.

He said aviation training was the most costly among the professions, adding that NCAT courses were being subsidised by government because they are costly.

According to him, however, aviation training in Nigeria is the cheapest compared to anywhere in the world.