Bello-Koko commends IMO support of electronic data exchange in Nigeria

Paul Ogbuokiri

The Acting Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Mohammed Bello Koko has commended the existing synergy between NPA and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), especially for the support towards the electronic data exchange in Nigerian Ports.

Bello koko was reacting to the pledge made by the IMO recently to support the Federal Government in its efforts to develop a Port Community System (PCS) for electronic data exchange for its port complex.

 A news release monitored on the website of the IMO stated that from January to June 2022, IMO will work with the Nigerian Ports Authority to conduct analysis of the current situation and put forward recommendations on the governance, business model, technology and identify any gaps to be addressed. This will ensure that Nigerian Ports benefit from effective operational country-wide PCS to enhance the economy of the country.

Also, the assessment mission is phase two of the project which began in 2021 with a series of IMO-led webinars (between August and November 2021) which aimed to raise awareness among Nigerian stakeholders about key aspects of a PCS.

This series identifies the opportunity and challenges for developing a national PCS in Nigeria. More than 60 senior management participants from Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS), Health Services, Agricultural Services, Ministry of Transportation, as well as port terminal operators, shipping companies, ship agents, importers and exporters participated.

Finally, Port Community Systems are neutral platforms that allow the exchange of electronic information between various stakeholders, and have become an increasingly important part of simplifying cross-border trade.