NSC organises two-day training for journalists

THE Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has conducted a two-day training session for maritime journalists in Lagos State. Speaking at the end of the session, Executive Secretary of NSC, Hassan Bello, said there is need for government to improve on the infrastructures at the seaports as part of measures to aid trade growth.

He explained that the training was necessary to sensitize members of the media on the operations of the council, adding “we realised that journalists are the key agent to all the activities at the port”.

Bello stated that the new port order and reform has made our port to be among the conducive environment for the operators to do their daily business, pointing out that there are various improvement since the council took  over the operation in the port, “while our reform has brought tremendous benefits to the national economy”.

He said: ”NSC is never a beauty pageant and we are not for popular but we stand for the commitment and efficiency that will bring a positive change to the maritime industry”.

He explained that the old era of monopoly has gone where a thousands of cargo will berth at the port for months with no clearance. According to Bello,  the council also  discovered that 80 percent of goods coming into the country are undeclared, adding that the introduction of Cargo Tracking Machine will empower the operator to know the actual items in the container instead of false declaration.

He said there is no need for any importer or exporter to pay for the service, pointing out that the council has deployed technology to tackle corruption at the ports.

NSC Deputy Director (Public Relations), Ignatius Nweke said media need to be equipped with modern tools to enable them to operate effectively and efficiently.

He said Journalists need to undergo various advance training to develop and improve their professional skills with modern technology tools to meet the future requirement.

At the training, Lanre Idowu said a professional journalist must always be accurate and should not victimize people. He said media job is designed to help the society with useful information.