The Chairman of the Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigerian (STOAN) Princess ( Dr). Vicky Haastrup, has commended the efforts of the Federal Government on the reforms that have taken place at the nation's ports.
Haastrup made this submission while making a presentation at a one-day Town Hall Meeting organised by the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers in Lagos on Thursday. The theme of the event is: “Achieving Effective Digitalization of Nigeria’s Maritime Industry".
She said the port concession programme which began in 2006 led to some of these improvements which include improve service delivery, increase in the efficiency and productivity of our ports and reduced vessel waiting time.
"We have become wiser and the industry works better through the health exchange of divergent discussion".
However, Customs processes and procedures need to be re-evaluated and be modernized she said, adding that situation where there were different tables that one had to pass through did not encourage automation and so, should be discouraged
She made a case for customs, terminals, shipping lines and indeed, all facets of the ports to be automated noting that: “We are not just talking about automation in the ports, we are talking of automation of customs processes and procedures, automation of shipping companies and all participants in the maritime industry.”
"Everyone that is performing one work or the other, there should be a point when importers do not need to come to the ports before their cargo is delivered to them. Just sit by your computer at home and you just see when your cargo is being discharged. You will pay customs duty right in your home by pressing your phone. Thank God we have mobile banking and then we do a one-stop shop. The cargo is delivered to you. We are still far away from that and I am looking forward to that time.
Speaking at the event, the President General of Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) Comrade (Prince) Adewale Adeyanju congratulated the League and also said that Since "the maritime industry is pivotal to over 90% of Nigeria's international trade, it is important that, it must find every available means to adapt the digital evolution in shaping the maritime future in every aspect and all its segments. In the past years, digitalisation has started to change the old operational models in the maritime sector," he said.