By Innocent Orok
In its efforts to promote and boost export trade, officials from Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and its agencies, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency ( NIMASA), Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) and National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) paid a courtesy visit to Bellington Cargo Limited, an approved Export Processing Terminal ( EPT) located at Okokomaiko area of Lagos.
In his opening remarks, the leader of the 11-member team Mr Ewache Victor who is a Director from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy said the team is visiting terminals as mandated by the Minister to access and inspect their facilities as well as hold an interactive session with them to know their challenges and how the government can address them.
He said the Minister is interested in the performance and challenges faced by operators which is hindering international trade, export and import activities.
Responding, the Head Operations of Bellington Cargo Limited, Mr Dennis Emetitiri who represented the Managing Director, inform the team that the terminal was licensed by the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) as Export Processing Terminal (EPT) two years ago and its started full operations in 2023.
He said the terminal since commencement of operations stated export processing and stuffing of Agro products like cocoa, cashew nuts, ginger, cotton seeds etc, and later stated processing of Iron ore, Glass and others for exports.
On the challenges faced by the terminal, Emetitiri said the issue of unlicensed EPTs doing exports, touts ( Area boys) extortions along the port roads and lack of empty containers allocation to the terminal is hindering export operations.
He informed the team that, it takes less than one hour to stuffed exports and said during stuffing of exports containers, all the Agencies of government involved in examinations are always present to avoid another check at the ports.
The team members all asked various questions and answers were given,as as they also promised to do their bids to make sure the terminal carries out its functions effectively.
The team took a tour of the warehouse and the leader of the team Mr Ewache Victor thanked and commended Bellington Cargo Limited for the great facilities they have and promised to make recommendation to the Ministry for actions.
He said their recommendations will include mandating the Nigerian Exports Promotion Council ( NEPC) to hold regular stakeholder engagements with importers, exporters to create awareness to promote Export trade and others.
Bellington Cargo Limited is one of the approved export cargoes terminal with large stuffing area and equipped warehouse for cargoes management.
The team comprises five officials from Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, three from NSC, one each from NPA, NIMASA and NIWA. While , Mr Dennis Emetitiri, Head of Operations, Mohammed Kabir, HRD, and Bolanle Shotuyo, PA to Managing Director represented Bellington Cargo Limited.
