Despite PIL Withdrawal, NNSL Project Will Commence – Bello

The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello has pledged that the proposed plan to reinvigorate the long awaited Liquidated Nigerian National s Shipping Line (NNSL), following the withdrawal of PIL Shipping, an investor in the project will not affect the project as it will be completed at the appropriate time.

Speaking recently, Barr. Bello, who was optimistic, while hinting the media in Lagos, disclosed that though one of the major bidders withdrew from the project, there are still options opened to bidders, because the committee constituted to ensure the refloating of the NNSL is working to meet the mandate, he said.

He therefore established that for a sustainable development to be effectively actualized on the reintroduction of the NNSL would involve Stakeholders, which includes; banks, insurance companies, flag administration and nautical colleges, adding that policies and laws are essential for review to meet the current trend.

Bello, therefore maintained that PIL Shipping was not the best choice, there were still other options, even as they have pulled out of the project.

He reiterated his commitment to ensure that the options available are in line, he said that to establish a national fleet, sustainability is most adequate in building capacity.

He argued that, the committee has worked out modalities on how national fleet would emerge, saying that, “We will build but give us the people, this is why I said don’t build a fleet, we would do it with all modesty christened in Nigerian name and the flag installed. By that we have a national fleet but that will not be necessary, due to the economic situation of the country, a well sustainable fleet will be built. It is not going to be talk show; the committee is working assiduously to see that the country is having national fleet once again.”

For the project to be efficiently coordinated, as l mentioned earlier, “We have to involve the banks, insurance, the flag administration, nautical colleges, policies as well as laws that can change from FOB to CIF and others leading to ship building and ship repair yards,” he held.