Senate Passes Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill , As Shippers Council Awaits President Tinubu Assent

By Roland Ekama 

 

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council NSC has announced that the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill (NPERA) has been passed by the National Assembly and is currently awaiting presidential assent from President Bola Tinubu.

Executive Secretary,Chief Executive Officer, NSC , Dr Pius Akutah, disclosed this on Wednesday during a 3-day capacity building programme in Ogun State.

Speaking while declaring the 2025 Operational Retreat for Middle Management, titled “Building Regulatory and Operational Capacity for Middle Management,” opened in Abeokuta,, the executive secretary of the Council, said the national assembly has passed the bill, but the council currently awaits President Tinubu’s assent.

He explained further that President Tinubu’s commitment to dealing with regulatory issues in the sector was what led to the creation of the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.

 

According to the Shippers’ Council boss, the NPERA is a reflection of the current administration’s concerted efforts to create a more structured and efficient port regulatory system in Nigeria..

“Today’s retreat is very significant because it is coming at the ease of the transition from the Nigerian Shippers Council to the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency. You are all aware of the progress we are making in the bill that has been passed by the National Assembly, which is now before Mr. President for Asset. The NPERA is a reflection of the current administration’s concerted efforts to create a more structured and efficient port regulatory system in Nigeria.

“Now, you also know that Mr. President is committed to not only dealing with regulatory issues in this sector, but also looking at the blue economy in general, and that is why he created the Ministry of Marine and the Blue Economy. Also, you know that our Minister is also very focused and has been driving the Ministry towards excellence.

“Just recently, we have just concluded all efforts on the national policy of Marine and Blue Economy and this agency, coming on board at this time, is to further strengthen our resolve and efforts towards regulating this sector to a more prosperous Nigeria.”

Dr Akutah also noted that, unlike the current Shippers’ Council law, the passage of NPERA would establish a strong, independent regulatory regime with enforceable legal powers.

“You know that in that law, there are some legal provisions that even have to do with criminal prosecutions. Essentially, the passage of that bill will establish a strong, independent regulatory regime with enforceable legal powers, unlike the current law. You know that in that law, some legal provisions even have to do with criminal prosecutions.

“On our part, in our current status, we have continued to work seriously for the industry by reducing arbitrary charges, enhancing stakeholders’ engagement, and robust dispute resolutions. We have never stopped, even as we have transited, we are still working very hard.

“This transition, while fully operational, will be an evolutionary case study in Nigeria’s maritime and port regulatory framework. We are fully supported and encouraged by the Minister of Maritime and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, in our Blue Economy journey and our sister agencies are also supporting us fully in this regard.”

Dr Akutah further stated that the council staff need to be trained and re-trained to gather more knowledge before stepping into the new regime.

“This is the time that we all need to begin to train and retrain ourselves to gather more knowledge even before we step into the new regime that we are heading into.

“As Middle Managers, you are critical in this process. You are the ones that drive policies to effective implementation. So, your assemblage here today, with these high-profile individuals who are going to take us in the next two days through our regulatory regime as we step into a new law, I urge you all to take full advantage of these eminent personalities who are here gathered to give us some insights,” Dr Akutah stated.

Speaking earlier, Olurotimi Anifowose, Director, Strategic Planning &: Research, Nigerian Shippers’ Council., urged participants to take advantage of the retreat to learn and relearn.

According to him, excellence doesn’t come by accident but by deliberate planning and operational excellence.

Research person, and former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency NIMASA, Mrs Mfon Usoro who described the middle class staff as the engine room of operational activities of the council ‘s implementation,tasked them to be proactive in preparatory of the transition.

She commended the readiness of the middle cadre personnel stressing the need for more investment in training and retraining in terms of pricing ,marketing related issues in furtherance to setting standards.

Apparently waiting for the President ‘s assent , Usoro who is the National President Chartered Institute of Transport and Logistics (CILT) Nigeria , called on other sister agencies under the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry to work closely with the Council in achieving the new mandate