The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has appealed for an urgent repeal of the existing NSCs Act for a new Act so it can discharge its mandate as Port Economic Regulator.
The Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Council , Pius Ukeyima Akuta who was represented by the NSC Director, Special Duties ,Mustapha Zubairu at the 2024 Annual Seminar for Maritime Journalists themed “The Nigerian Shippers’ Council in Transition, Issues , Prospects and Challenges” on 20th November, 2024 announced that the NSC is indeed an agency constantly in transition.
Akuta explained that the bill which seeks to repeal the Nigerian shipper’s council Act cap 133 laws of the federation of Nigeria [LFN] and enact the Nigerian port regulatory agency Act is already passed by the House of Representatives and is awaiting concurrence of the senate.
He stated that the Port Economic Regulation Bill when passed into law will promote efficiency and streamline processes in the nation’s maritime sector.
According to him, NSC has transited from being an agency primarily responsible for protecting the interests of shippers on matters relating to international trade transaction, to trade facilitator, through the promotion of the development of Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) and other cargo logistics across the 6 geo-economic zones in Nigeria, and to being appointed a port economic regulator by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in 2014.
The NSC CEO reiterated that there are several promising prospects for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, many of which stem from the ongoing transition in the maritime and logistics sectors and these opportunities, if leveraged effectively, could significantly enhance the role of the NSC in Nigeria’s economic growth.
The prospects highlighted by Akuta includes:Port Economic Regulatory Agency bill, implementation of cargo tracking note, implementation of Enterprise Management System, digital transformation and E-Commerce ,sustainability and green shipping.
“As economic regulators, once we have the law in place , it will give the Council the necessary clout to regulate the sector effectively. The idea of pushing for its transmutation to Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency is to enhance efficiency and competitiveness of the nation’s port.
“This is to ensure labor stability in the sector to mitigate incessant labor unrest. Looking forward things would change holistically. There will be effective regulation, streamlining of ports process, removal of checkpoints, free port access roads, automation as well as addressing other anomalies at the nations port.
“These opportunities, if leveraged effectively, could significantly enhance the role of the NSC in Nigeria’s economic growth” he said.
Similarly, Mr Sesan Onileimo, CEO, First Medicaon Network Ltd/Facilitator affirmed that , the Bill is envisaged to be a game-changer in the Nigerian shipping and port-related businesses.
He noted that currently, the rating of ease of doing business in the ports is low and it is anticipated that the new law will ensure that there is fairness and competition in pricing of services, while providers and users enjoy a new experience.
” We commend the determination of the Management of the NSC for giving the Bill all that is required to come to life. The bold move to regenerate the NSC is the motive behind the zeal .”
