AUTOMATION: NIMASA COMMENCES DIGITAL MANIFEST MANAGEMENT
—We are committed to reducing human interface and improving vessel turnaround time — Jamoh
By Mcanthony Onuoha
The Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA),has commenced total manifest regime for all vessels calling at Nigerian Ports. This brings to an end the physical transaction concerning Sailing Certificates and cargo manifest processing as stakeholders are encouraged to fully embrace the Agency’s initiative by visiting the NIMASA portal.
The Director General of the Agency,Dr. Bashir Jamoh, who made the disclosure said that the automation was aimed at further reducing human interaction, improve efficiency and block revenue leakages.
In his words,” in line with the Federal Government’s Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business, we are committed to improving turnaround time of vessels, reduction of human interface in majority of our transaction with our stakeholders; and this is in our bid to ensuring transparency and professionalism that the sector require to grow”.
” We have improved our operational relationship with our sister Agencies, as we speak, we have made tremendous progress in our determination to convey sailing clearance for vessels to the NPA electronically. We also receive and process manifests electronically. This has improved efficiency leading to improvement in the turn-around-time of vessels calling at the nation’s ports”. Jamoh disclosed.
He further stated that “right now,we have ensured that the process of submitting and processing manifests is reduced from 72hours to 5hours for VLCCs(very Large Crude Carriers) and larger container vessels whereas it would only take two hours or less for smaller vessels), you would agree with me that these are marked improvement and it’s still work in progress.”
The NIMASA Director General pointed out that the benefits that would be derived from the total digitalization of all Agency’s processes expected to be completed by 2022 would be enormous not just for the Stakeholders, but for the country at large, including helping to improve balance of trade and commercial shipping activities in Nigeria.
According to Assistant Director, Public Relations of NIMASA, Mr. Osagie Edward, “it is on record that Dr. Bashir Jamoh led administration had always advocated for the automation of the Agency’s processes for enhanced and effective delivery of services. This renewed drive is apparently another stride in the core transformation of the maritime sector for immense economic benefit.” He said .
