Senate Re-passes Port Regulatory Agency Bill Clause by Clause

Senate on Tuesday passed the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill, 2026 during plenary in Abuja.

DAILY TREND reports that the Bill aims to transform the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) into an independent, legally empowered economic regulator for Nigeria’s ports. It seeks to formalize the NSC’s role in controlling tariffs, curbing arbitrary charges by terminal operators/shipping lines, and fostering competition, replacing the current, weaker Shippers’ Council Act.

The passage of the bill followed a motion moved by the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele (Ekiti Central) and seconded by the Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro (Benue South).

The lawmakers had, before consideration, rescinded their earlier decision on the bill, as previously passed and transmitted to the president for assent.

At the Committee of the Whole, Mr Opeyemi informed the Senate that following critical examination by the ministry of justice, fundamental issues were identified requiring fresh legislative action.

He stated that a technical committee comprising the Senate, House of Representatives and legal drafting experts from the Directorate of Legal Services had convened.

He said the committee was mandated to resolve the issues raised after the detailed scrutiny of the bill and recommend necessary corrections for legislative reconsideration.

Relying on Orders 1(b) and 52(6) of the Senate Standing Orders, the lawmakers rescinded their earlier decision on the bill, as previously passed.

The committee, thereafter, recommitted the bill to the Committee of the Whole for comprehensive consideration, amendment and passage, in line with legislative procedures.

At the Committee of the Whole, the lawmakers subsequently considered and passed the bill clause by clause after exhaustive deliberation.