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By Lizzy Chirkpi
The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) is partnering with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to address the ill-treatment faced by Nigerian shippers in international trade.
Addressing journalists on Friday in Abuja, the Executive Secretary of NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah said the efforts to bolster Nigeria’s port infrastructure and operations to fully capitalize on the maritime sector’s potential is paramount.
He however highlighted key areas within the maritime industry requiring enhanced bilateral relations.
Akutah informed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, about the necessity for the Nigerian government to engage with countries like China to ensure fairer treatment for Nigerian shippers involved in trade with other nations.
He stated, “We are looking at the issue of overseas treatment of Nigerian shippers because many of our shippers complain about certain constraints they face in their activities outside the country.
“We are thinking that, with your support, we could establish liaison desks in your embassies to support Nigerian shippers, especially in countries like China, where significant trade activities occur between our people and the Chinese market,” he added.
The Executive Secretary further said, “We are looking at improved trade intelligence that will assist us. As a data-generating agency, we want to see how trade intelligence can help us navigate dispute resolution between our shippers and other shippers globally through diplomatic channels, which you (referring to the Minister) champion.”
Akutah also highlighted the focus on the blue economy, saying, “We are also exploring blue economic diplomacy. Today, Nigeria has embraced the blue economy, and there are countries with mature blue economies that we want to partner with.
“For instance, countries like Canada have very mature blue economies. We want to leverage your capacity to help us promote our blue economy in those countries, facilitating technical cooperation to help build our own blue economy.
“Additionally, we are looking at promoting maritime research and ecotourism, which are integral parts of the blue economy. We can leverage your various embassies worldwide to help us develop relationships with other countries that will enable us to establish these initiatives quickly,” he noted.
He highlighted the critical role of the Minister of Foreign Affairs in achieving Nigeria’s foreign policy objectives, pointing out that the shipping sub-sector operates globally.
“This partnership is necessary to help us reach out to partners worldwide because our business is not just local; it is a global business,” he asserted.
Responding to the Executive Secretary, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Yusuf Tuggar, urged closer collaboration between the Council and the Ministry to achieve the outlined goals.
“I think you need to do more in terms of collaborating with us and continue to remember that these goals cannot be achieved without working with us.
“We need to work more closely with each other. An agency might be under one particular ministry, but that does not mean we should not work together on issues of overseas trade support. I am very happy to work with you,” he affirmed.
Although, both parties are considering signing a memorandum of understanding with clear cut guidelines to solidify the partnership.