The Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, yesterday said that the e-registration of regulated port service providers and users of the Council will not only curb faceless operators but will also serve as a security tool for the government.
The Council said that only 185 port service operators and users have so far registered, noting that it will begin enforcement of the law from the fourth quarter of the year.
Speaking at the sensitisation workshop for stakeholders in Lagos, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Pius Akutah, said with the registration of all service providers and users, the worrisome issue of people hiding at the background to partake in illegal activities as is the case presently will be controlled as all operators would become identifiable.
Akutah, who was represented by the Director, Consumers Services of the Council, Cajetan Agu, also explained that port service operators and users who have registered with the NSC will be availed with relevant information to aid their operations.
According to him, the Council will continue the sensitisation of stakeholders on the need for registration, but the enforcement of the law will include closure of the offices of unregistered operators.
Deputy Director, Consumers Services, Celestine Akunjobi, said only 185 port service providers and users have so far registered.
He disclosed that the Council will continue its enlightenment campaign before it will commence enforcement of the law by the beginning of the fourth quarter. Akunjobi also noted that any shipping company or Terminal Operator that engages a non-registered operator will be made to face the law. He said that the Council regularly get calls from and within the country from operators seeking information about their clients, further noted that most times such clients are found not to engage as the address given are fake.