Shippers’ Council Saved Nigerian Economy ₦90.60bn, $1.348m in Two Years—Akutah
Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr Pius Akutah (3rd from left) and other senior management staff of the Council during a media Parley held in Lagos on Saturday
By DAPO OLAWUNI
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, has disclosed that the Council has protected over ₦90.60 billion and $1.348 million through Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and other regulatory interventions since he assumed office in November 2023. A breakdown of the revenue includes ₦86.06 billion in unjustified demurrage payments and securing savings of ₦4.54 billion and US$1.348 million.
Akutah stated this on Saturday when he met with editors and maritime reporters during a media Parley and lunch date in Lagos.
The NSC boss informed that the recoveries formed part of a broader reform agenda aimed at strengthening the Council’s role as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the policy direction of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola.
He disclosed that the Council received 558 complaints within the period under review, out of which 295 commercial disputes were resolved, reflecting the growing use of the ADR mechanism in addressing conflicts between shippers, terminal operators, and other stakeholders in the maritime sector.
On tariff reforms, Akutah said the Council had harmonised bonded terminal invoice charges from 18 charge categories down to six, a move aimed at reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports and improving transparency in charges paid by shippers.
He also highlighted major institutional and funding milestones recorded during the period, chief among them, the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill by both chambers of the National Assembly, which is now awaiting Presidential Assent.
“The Council also achieved major institutional milestones, including the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill by both Chambers of the National Assembly, approval of its statutory funding mechanism through the 2025 Appropriation Act, active participation in the National Single Window Project and resolution of key issues delaying implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN)” he said
Akutah also described the securing of statutory funding for the Council through the 2025 Appropriation Act as historic, noting that it was the first time the Council had secured such funding since its establishment in 1978.
On trade facilitation, Akutah said the Council had made progress in the implementation of the National Single Window project and had resolved key issues that had previously delayed the rollout of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), reforms he said were improving regulatory certainty and reducing the cost of doing business for operators in the sector.
He further disclosed that the Council had deployed an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS) and introduced a Leadership and Succession Planning Project as part of efforts at digital transformation and institutional renewal.
Akutah added that preparations for the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges had been substantially concluded.
The NSC boss said the cumulative reforms were part of efforts to reposition the Council as a modern, efficient, and globally competitive institution, and to support the Federal Government’s vision for the port and maritime sector.
Speaking on matters relating to staff employment, he disclosed the NSC recently onboarded new staff in line with the Civil Service guidelines and they have since resumed at the agency.
The media parlay was attended by senior management of the NSC including; Mrs Ify Okolue, Director Consumer Affairs Department, Mr Mustapha Zubairu, Director special duties, Moses Abere human resource department and Emeka Okereke legal services department.
Others are; Mr Paul Gwangwa Inland transport services department, Rebecca Adamu, Head of Public Relations department, Adaora Nwonu regulatory services deputy director and Juliana Saka Assistant Director head of complaint unit.
