In order to beat the July 1st International Maritime Organisation’s deadline that all consignments scheduled for export be weighed before shipped out, the Federal Government will install weigh stations at the nation’s seaports.
A Ministry of Transportation official revealed that government was currently weighing two options. Firstly, to construct the weigh-stations directly before concessioning them. Secondly to construct them on a Public-Private Partnership basis.
To this effect, a recommendation is being expected from the Nigerian Shippers Council, NSC, at the end of the just concluded workshop themed, “Transport cost and regional connectivity of African countries.”
The official also hinted that they considered the option of allowing terminal operators to handle the weighing of consignments but was quick to observe that the terminal operators may use it as a means of further exploiting Nigerian shippers.
At the Abuja workshop, stakeholders kicked against the 1st July, 2016 take off date because most countries in the sub-region except Ghana are not ready.
