In a renewed push to optimize port operations and eliminate red tape in Nigeria’s trade ecosystem, the Federal Government is set to inaugurate the Ports and Customs Efficiency Committee (PCEC) a public-private sector initiative designed to fast-track improvements in port efficiency and service delivery.
The inauguration ceremony, to be chaired by Vice President Ibrahim Kashim Shettima, will take place at the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) headquarters in Lagos. It will bring together more than 50 key stakeholders, including heads of government agencies and top industry leaders across critical sectors that drive Nigeria’s economic activity.
The PCEC is a flagship initiative of the Presidential Enabling Business Environment Council (PEBEC) and represents a collaborative platform to tackle long-standing bottlenecks in the ports and customs system. The committee’s primary mandate is to pinpoint inefficiencies and implement targeted reforms that improve trade facilitation and enhance the ease of doing business in Nigeria.
Key outcomes expected from the committee’s interventions include:
- Reduced cargo dwell time
- Greater transparency and accountability
- Improved inter-agency coordination
- Customer-centric service enhancements
Speaking ahead of the inauguration, Abubakar Dantsoho, Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority, emphasized the NPA’s readiness to host the event and align with its goals.
“We are greatly delighted to host this all-important collaborative process-improvement meeting, as it is very much in tandem with our efforts at eliminating bottlenecks and bursting red tapes on the path of trade facilitation,” Dantsoho stated.
The launch of the PCEC signals the government’s commitment to systemic reform in the maritime and customs sector key drivers of Nigeria’s non-oil revenue and economic diversification strategy. By fostering accountability and efficiency at the ports, the government hopes to unlock greater investment, accelerate trade flows, and solidify Nigeria’s position as a regional logistics hub.
