It is now official that the President, Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr. Godfrey Bivbere is an Ambassador of the Time Release Study (TRS).
This was made public by the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Customs Area Controller (CAC), Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) Command, Comptroller Dera Nnadi shortly after a brief induction ceremony at the MARAN International Press Center, Apapa GRA, Lagos.
The TRS is commissioned to scientifically ascertain the exact time it takes for cargoes to pass through the various units in the port including NCS, terminal operators, shipping lines and so from the time they are discharged from the vessel up until the time of exit from the terminal.
The World Customs Organisation (WCO) assisted in the TRS initiative which was launched by the Comptroller General of Customs, Alhaji Bashir Adewale Adeniyi in Lagos with TICP chosen for the execution of the pilot scheme in February 2024.
Nnadi explained that TICP was chosen for the TRS because of the delay in cargo release which was already known about the port.
He emphasized the importance of TRS in enhancing trade facilitation and revenue collection just as he enjoined Bivbere to use his expertise to promote the adoption of TRS by all stakeholders in the cargo chain.
Bivbere in his acceptance speech thanked Nnadi and the NCS for the honour and pledged to work tirelessly to promote TRS and improve Nigeria’s trade facilitation landscape.
A seasoned maritime journalist, Bivbere was chosen as an ambassador for his leadership role in steering the affairs of the over three decade old umbrella body for journalists covering the maritime sector of the economy.
He was also chosen for his contribution to developmental journalism and vast knowledge of industry, including customs trade and procedures.
As TRS Ambassador, he will play a crucial role in promoting the use of TRS, as a tool used to measure the time it takes to clear cargo from the port.
Recall that cargo clearance time from the nation’s seaports was said to be the longest in the West Africa Sub-region if not the entire continent.
These claims were however without any verifiable proof, a situation that led to the commissioning of the TRS.
The induction ceremony was witnessed by men and officers of NCS, members of MARAN and other reporters covering the maritime industry.
