The outgoing Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr. Hassan Bello has urged the entire staff and management of the council to continue in their doggedness and commitment to service.
Barrister Bello who spent eight years as the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council spoke at the celebration of his 22 years meritorious service and out standing performance party which took place at Eko Hotel, Lagos.
He expressed his appreciation to all the stakeholders who came out enmasse to honor him.
Many industry players discribed Bello as a humble and hardworking personality.
While commending the staff of the Council for all the gifts showered on him and family, he described them as the best staff to work with. He said this contributed his success in the office.
He noted that the council is one the most sensitive government agency in Nigeria.
Although, he lamented that lack of synergy within some government agencies has really affected implementation of some of government policies there by leading to set back in trade facilitation within Nigeria and international communities.
“All the agencies have to operate on the basis of equality, there is no agency that is better than the other. Everyone of us have a role to play, agencies are not graded by their budget, but it is very unfortunate that some agencies think that maritime starts and ends with them”
“Some agencies are busy defending territories, they spend so much money defending these territories and they neglect what they are set up to do, this is why we have a problem” he stressed
While highlighting some of his mile stone achievements, Bello said” the Council is now involved in the concession agreement being signed by the terminal operators, a situation in which the former Managing Director of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) Hadiza Bala Usman sidelined the Council in the past”.
Bello said if the Council’s advise had been adhered to by the then MD NPA, there wouldn’t have been any traffic gridlock in Apapa which has badly affected the economic growth.
“Nigerian Shippers Council is the lead agency of the port manual apart from being the port economic regulator, this is because of its neutralism and professionalism”
“We cannot have any agency lording over us, an agency is as good as its relationship with its ministry, you cannot be above your ministry” he said
At the event which was graced by who is who and ‘maritime big wings’, the 2020 SERVICOM awards were given to twelve drivers for their contributions towards the covid lockdown, 66 staff got the Notable Staff of the Year, Outstanding Zonal Office award went to Abuja office.
Others are Outstanding Independent Unit went to Public Relations Unit, Outstanding Department went to Finance and Account, Outstanding Staff of the Year went to ten staff of the council
For the Long Service Award, for the 15-years, 66 persons were in that category; for 20-years, 93 persons were in the category; 25-years had 66 persons and 30-years had 31 persons.
Barr Hassan Bello, a proficient lawyer, joined the Nigerian Shippers Council in 1998 as Deputy Director and Head of Legal Services. He later became a Director in the same department, a position he held for many years before he became the Executive Secretary. Prior to joining the Council, Bello worked with the Sokoto State Ministry of Justice and the state’s Investment Company Limited, where he rose to become Acting Managing Director & CEO.
While pouring ecominoin on the Bello the Director General of Nigeria Maritime and Administrator Agency (NIMASA), Dr Bashir Jamoh, noted that Bello signified cost effectiveness, efficiency, and working according to international best practices.
He also noted that as regards fighting corruption at the ports, Bello stood his ground and proffer means to contain the monster.
“The subject matter at this event is Hassan Bello and what he has achieved for the past eight years as the executive secretary of NSC.
We known for his doggedness in solving issues, in the aspect of gridlock, trade expansion, national fleet issues and others and for every area, you can write a chapter of book on his contribution to the industry,” Jamoh noted .