Bello Advocate Enhanced Technology To Drive Blue Economy

BY SANDRA CHUKUYENRE

The former Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello has said that Nigeria can only achieve its blue economy potentials by deploying current technology in the sector.

According to him, Nigeria is not moving forward in its quest to become a leading maritime nation as the ports are not maximally efficient due to lack of required technology. Bello stated this at the 10th Anniversary/Lecture and Awards of the Primetime Reporters newspaper organized recently in Lagos with the theme: “Leveraging Technology to Maximise the Potential of Nigeria’s Blue Economy”.

His words: “Advanced cargo tracking system and a single window system are indispensable for a technology-driven port operation. These are critical. The blue economy will not do well without adequate deployment of technology.

“Blue economy is ocean based economy, but does not stop there. Everybody must contribute. Blue economy should not be colonised.  It should not be left in the hands of of one agency. Efficiency is what can make blue economy work. Actions must be taken, and not by using blue economy just for fancy.

“Our ports are not maximally efficiently driven by technology. When I was at the Shippers Council, terminals were not technologically driven and we had to set a target for them and I am happy that by the time I was leaving the terminal, operators had reached 50 per cent technology integration in their operations. We can stay in our office and work on the bill of laden, importation documents and everything about the port business”.

The former NSC boss argued that the proper adoption of technology at Nigerian ports will reduce human contact; thereby eliminating corruption and unnecessary delays.

“A port is not supposed to have people all over the place. An efficient port is the one that is driven by technology. I remember when we visited Singapore’s biggest port with some lawmakers. I can still recall when one of them asked me if that was a seaport, and I said, yes. A port is not supposed to have too many people doing business. Once you have too many people in the port, this drives corruption. This is the reason for the corruption in the port”.

Commenting further, he said the blue economy should also focus on the inland waterways, with the use of barges for movement of cargoes, instead of the over reliance on road transportation.

Also speaking, the Lagos State Manager of National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) Engr Sarat Braimah stated that the agency is moving with the latest trends in technology advancement.

Braimah who was represented by the Head of Marine, Engr Elsie Egwuatu pointed out that NIWA is also working to digitalise water transport and leverage on the potentials of the blue economy.

On his part, the Secretary General of Abuja Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Captain Sunday Umoren called for the development of not just technology alone, but also enabling infrastructures.

He explained that 99 per cent of the time, the Port State Control for West and Central African Region has been able to apprehend vessels flouting safety standards through the use of technology.

“We should not lose focus on certain aspects; the enablers of technology. This will include infrastructure like constant power supply, as well as capacity building. If the enablers are not there, then we will not get the best out of technology.

“Let’s fix our eyes on the enablers. Let technology work for us and let us reap the benefits of the blue economy”.