By Hannah Tedunjaye
The Director-General of Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) ,Dr. Pius Akutah has said Port economic regulation can help reduce the cost of fish distribution, attract investment in cold-chain infrastructure and strengthen food security and coastal livelihoods in Nigeria.
The position was contained in a presentation delivered by the Deputy Director/ Standards Service Division, Waheed Olagunju, who represented Akutah, at the Maritime Correspondents’ Organisation of Nigeria Conference (MARCON ) on Sustainable Fishing in Lagos.
The conference, held on Wednesday 30, September , 2026 in Lagos, focused on the theme, “Sustainable Fishing in Nigeria: Pathways to Growth, Food Security and Coastal Livelihoods.”
Speaking on the topic, “Port Economic Regulation as a Catalyst for Sustainable Fishing and Blue-Economy Development in Nigeria,” Akutah said efficient maritime logistics and sound economic regulation are critical to improving the competitiveness of the fisheries value chain.
He noted that Nigeria’s maritime economy extends beyond shipping and cargo handling to include fisheries, aquaculture, coastal commerce, marine services, logistics and tourism, all of which contribute to the country’s blue-economy development.
According to him, although many artisanal fishers do not operate through major seaports, the wider maritime logistics system remains important to the fisheries sector, particularly for the importation of fishing equipment, processing machinery, refrigeration systems and packaging materials, as well as the transportation and export of seafood.
Akutah said increasing fish production alone would not be sufficient to address the challenges facing the sector without corresponding improvements in infrastructure, transportation, storage and the business environment.
He identified high input costs, inadequate cold-chain infrastructure, post-harvest losses, illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, limited access to finance and governance challenges among the major constraints affecting Nigeria’s fisheries sector.
He explained that transparent tariffs, effective monitoring of approved charges, measurable service standards and efficient dispute-resolution mechanisms could help reduce unnecessary costs and billing disputes across the fisheries value chain.
Akutah also stressed the importance of improving the movement of perishable fish products, noting that delays in inspection, documentation, cargo release and transportation could result in spoilage and loss of product quality.
He called for measurable service standards covering documentation, inspection coordination, reefer handling, power availability, gate operations and complaint resolution.
On investment, Akutah said predictable tariffs, concession arrangements, access conditions and effective dispute-resolution mechanisms could encourage private-sector investment in cold storage, ice plants, refrigerated transportation and other temperature-controlled facilities.
He further advocated greater digital integration among port authorities, customs, fisheries agencies and other relevant government institutions to eliminate repetitive documentation, improve traceability and accelerate cargo clearance.
He cited the International Maritime Organization’s Maritime Single Window framework as an important reference for improving the electronic exchange of information among agencies involved in maritime transport.
Akutah said the transition from the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s former port economic-regulatory role to the NPERA framework provides an opportunity to strengthen tariff transparency, fair competition, service delivery, trade facilitation and protection of port users.
He stressed the need for effective coordination between NPERA, the Nigerian Ports Authority and other relevant agencies to ensure that regulatory reforms translate into improved logistics and business conditions for the fisheries sector.
Beyond the major seaports, Akutah said reforms must also benefit small-scale and artisanal fishing operators through improved access to affordable ice, fuel, equipment, transportation, finance and markets.
He therefore called for the development of a national fisheries logistics and cold-chain investment plan linking coastal landing sites and production areas with processing centres, cold stores, inland waterways, roads, rail, ports, airports and markets.
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