The Acting Director General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and
Safety Agency (NIMASA) Mr. Haruna Baba Jauro has restated the Agency’s
commitment to remove all barriers to seamless facilitation of transit
cargo to the Republic of Niger through Nigeria’s sea ports.
The DG who gave this assurance when the Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission
on Transit Cargo led by the Director General of the Shippers Council of
the Republic of Niger, Mr. Oumarou Issoufou paid a courtesy visit to the
Agency in Lagos recently also noted that Nigeria and Niger can work
together without barriers to ensure smooth passage of goods between both
countries.
The NIMASA boss also expressed satisfaction with the activities of the
Commission, specifically in the area of trade relations between Nigeria
and Niger saying both countries have a lot to benefit from each other on
issues concerning trade.
“We will continue to share ideas on how to make the relationship better
and remove all barriers to successful transit of cargo between the two
countries using global best practices”, the DG said.
Earlier in his address, the Director General of Niger Republic Shippers’
Council, who spoke through an interpreter commended the Agency’s efforts
in ensuring safety and security in the nation’s ports and also pledged the
readiness of Niger Republic to co-operate with the Nigerian government for
the interest of both countries.
“We have been to the Apapa and Tincan Ports and we observed the quality of
safety and security available on the Nigerian waterways, which are
commendable”, Oumarou stated.
He further appealed to the Agency to do its best to foster a good
relationship between both countries.
The Nigerian/Nigerien Joint Commission on Transit Cargo was established
with the aim of facilitating seamless transit of Niger bound cargo through
Nigerian ports. ýThe delegation from the Republic of Niger comprising
mostly economic operators was in Nigeria to inspect port facilities ýwith
a view to channeling most of their cargo through Nigerian ports.