ONGOING: At Shippers’ Council Management Retreat, Barr. Pius Akutah Assures ICTN Implementation in Q2 2025

The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr Pius Akutah addressing staff of the agency at the 2025-2029 strategic management retreat in Ibadan on Wednesday
—Says Council’s 2025 Budget is Anchored on 1% Freight Stabilization Fee
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is set to implement the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) in the second quarter of 2025, according to Barr. Pius Akutah, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council.
Speaking at the ongoing 2025-2029 strategic management retreat of the Council held at De Signature Hotel in Ibadan on Wednesday, Barr Akutah highlighted the Council’s ongoing transformation into the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA)
He also disclosed that the Council’s 2025 budget is anchored on a 1% freight stabilization fee, which will be collected upon presidential approval of the NPERA Bill.
Akutah however assured that contrary to some stakeholders expectation, the 1% trade stabilization fee would not lead to increase in the cost of doing business at Nigerian Ports. He said the provision for the collection is stated in the Act of the Council.
The retreat, themed “The Future – Transition from Nigerian Shippers’ Council to Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA),” marked the launch of a strategic plan for 2025–2029 aimed at advancing the maritime sector.
In his keynote address, Akutah outlined the Council’s major achievements, including:
“Signing the Minimum Standards of Conditions of Service for Workers in the Shipping Industry.
Launching operational manuals for Inland Dry Ports.
Introducing the Online Registration Portal and E-Regulatory Process Portal (ERPP)”
Others are “Recovering billions of naira through robust complaints handling mechanisms.
Hosting the 17th International Maritime Seminar for Judges.
Initiating a Leadership Development Program to enhance institutional capacity”
Akutah emphasized that the ICTN’s implementation would enhance revenue generation and operational oversight within the maritime sector.
According to the Shippers Council boss, the retreat would focus on four strategic priorities including “Strengthening stakeholder engagement for inclusivity and collaboration.
Promoting transparency and fairness through predictable regulatory policies.
Enhancing operational efficiency for a seamless transition to NPERA.
Aligning economic growth with environmental sustainability”
Akutah called on senior management staff of the agency to collaborate in shaping a competitive, inclusive, and sustainable maritime sector, describing the retreat as a platform to craft actionable solutions and prepare for the sector’s next phase.
“With the collective expertise, creativity, and dedication of all involved, we can secure a brighter and more prosperous future for Nigeria’s maritime industry,” Akutah concluded.
The retreat will run until January 25, 2025, with deliberations from key stakeholders and presentations by the Council’s directorates on the roles required to achieve the successful transition to NPERA.
The Nigeria Shipper’s Councle should pay the workers who administered the ICTN. As we speak over 40 Nigerians that laboured and have generated revenue have not been paid.
NSC where is the money generated from the scheme in 2015-2020. We the staffs are still waiting for justice till date.
Are you still a staff of the Council? Where did you serve
The Nigeria shippers council NSC are busy lobbying to saile ICTN from federal government of Nigeria… forgotten to pay outstanding salaries and other benefits to the staff…from the revenue generated from 2015 till the end of the contract as national assembly ordered,,under transport and port’s management systems (TPMS) nig Ltd . And now trying to come out with the same matter to enslaved other citizens again??? We can never allow it to happen… we are all Nigeria 🇳🇬 citizens and we the right for our payments since we the staff are not part of profit sharing methods and thought to the wicked ness of NSC leadership by bar Hassan Bello and the E.S that comes to meet the matter on ground refuse to pay attention to us just because we are powerless. We will keep crying 😭😭😭 for justice until government does something about it,,, our parents also pay school fee’s for us and we have nothing to tell them thank you???? Anytime I saw staff NSC I hated them like to take law into my hands,,, but can’t we are still patient for federal government himself to look into it. We are law attorney of country.
Can you tell me, are you a staff of the Shippers Council? I want to know more about your plight