APFFLON Lauds Shippers’ Council Boss Akutah for Saving Nigerian Ports ₦90.54bn in Demurrage Losses
National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite (left) and the Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers Council, Barr Pius Ukeyima Akutah
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has commended the Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Pius Akutah, for achievements recorded in protecting the interests of Nigerian shippers and the maritime industry.
In a statement issued by its National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, APFFLON said the prevention of over ₦86 billion in demurrage losses, alongside the recovery of an additional ₦4.54 billion through the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism, was a commendable milestone that demonstrated a renewed commitment to trade facilitation, transparency, and the protection of cargo owners and freight forwarders from avoidable financial losses.
The association noted that as the Port Economic Regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council had continued to play a vital role in promoting fairness and accountability within the nation’s port system, and urged the Council’s leadership to sustain the momentum by strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring that all port service providers comply with established standards.
“APFFLON acknowledges these efforts and encourages the Council’s leadership to sustain the momentum by strengthening regulatory oversight and ensuring that all port service providers comply with established standards.” Ogunojemite said
While celebrating the successes, APFFLON urged the Council not to relent in addressing other persistent challenges confronting freight forwarders and importers, including arbitrary charges, excessive port delays, poor service delivery by some operators, congestion, and other bottlenecks that continue to increase the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
The association called on the Council to intensify stakeholder engagement, improve the efficiency of dispute resolution processes, and ensure that the benefits of its regulatory interventions are felt by all participants in the maritime value chain.
APFFLON reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and other stakeholders in advancing reforms that will enhance port competitiveness, reduce the cost of logistics, and position Nigeria as the preferred maritime and trade hub in West Africa.
