Ports council plans databank for maritime sector

The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council has concluded plans to create a database as custodian of Nigerian port industry statistics.

The council also said that the databank would serve as a source of historical data and a tool for industry forecasts.

According to a statement on Wednesday, NPCC leadership discussed this goal recently when the council inaugurated five new committees charged with developing actionable ideas for growing Nigeria’s port industry.

Speaking at the meeting, the Chairman of NPCC, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, said the database would help industry operators, regulators, and the government “plan for investments, policy adjustments, and infrastructure within the sector.”

Sunmola expressed optimism that the council could become the custodians of port statistics, “with robust collaboration with government regulatory agencies and stakeholders at the seaports.”

Meanwhile, the Vice Chairman of NPCC, Mrs. Jean Chiazor Anishere, observed that the NPCC committees were expected to develop a work plan in sync with their terms of reference.

She assured the gathering that the council would play its part in supporting the respective committees.

Speaking on behalf of the newly inaugurated committees, the Chairman of Port Operations and Logistics, Capt. Iheanacho Ebubeogu, stressed that an assessment of the nation’s seaports could be divided into two parts, namely port operations and human activities.

He remarked that a clear understanding of these roles will help in planning the sector’s growth and measuring the performance of the respective operators, agencies, and stakeholders.

On his part, Dr. Ikenna Nwosu pointed out the need for NPCC to help the port and maritime sector become properly captured in the national Gross Domestic Product.

He, however, opined that with NPCC’s goal to become custodians of port statistics, “other research organisations will have access to vital industry data for GDP calculation.”