Trade Facilitation: Maritime Expert , Dr. Segun Musa calls for digitalization of ports operations in Nigeria
By Babatunde Aremu
Politician , Security consultant and Maritime Expert Dr Segun Musa has called on the Federal Government to digitalise the system of clearing cargoes at the ports to enhance ease of doing business and ensure Trade Facilitation .
Dr. Musa gave this advice on Tuesday in Lagos at an interactive session with The Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria ( MARAN) .
He wants Nigeria to migrate from Analogue to digital operations so as to encourage legitimate Trade in line with global practice.
“Shipping companies, Terminal operators should automate their system The world has changed and we must embrace the changes. Everyone should be treated based on Merit.To run a smart port we must think like a digital compliant world
He however commended the Nigeria customs service for the improvement in technology and other services provided by the NCS at the ports .
The Marine and Blue Economy Ministry was created by the Tinubu Administration to harness the potentials in the maritime sector and fast track development . Dr. Musa however described the creation of the Ministry by the federal Government as a Fraud . He expressed
disappointments that the creation of the
Ministry has not generated the desired impact of stakeholders .
The Federal Government has been advised to set a Target for the Blue Economy so as to achieve the desired positive impact and robust Economy in the sector.
Dr. Musa condemned the delay in the disbursement of the CVFF, a fund set aside to support indigenous ship owners as a pool of resources and Build capacity. Dr. Musa expressed concerns that the CVFF funds no longer exist.
” The lack of capacity of NIMASA to audit account for collection of the CVFF funds shows lack of Transparency and suspicion .
CVFF is kept in Trust by the federal Government.
Federal Government has no right to touch the money. The more you keep and deprive indigenous ship owners of the CVFF funds the more you kill the maritime sector “
— He said
The Maritime sector is the Heart of the Economy of every Nation . Dr. Musa expressed displeasure that it is unfortunate that the sector is still facing challenges of equipment , poor infrastructure and insufficient capacity to bring about development.
He recommended proper feasibility studies, regulation and standardisation of the industry to move the industry forward .