Shipping Bill When Passed Will Not Strangulate Maritime Sector – Akutah Assures Stakeholders

By Roland Ekama 

The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barrister Pius Akutah has explained that concerns raised by some stakeholders on the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill will be looked into for consideration , saying that there are germaine points by some players in the industry which are vital for the sector’s growth.

Barr. Akutah disclosed on Monday in Abuja, after at a Public Hearing on the repeal of the Nigerian Shippers Council Act.

In the words of the NSC Boss, “I am very impressed with the outcome of today’s Public Hearing. I am particularly grateful to my Minister, the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola for his support.

“It is also one of the Key Performances Indicators (KPI) that we signed with the Honourable Minister.

“On some concerns raised by some stakeholders, some of them are germaine and will be looked at them going forward. We are not bringing in a law that will strangulate the sector. The intention is to bring sanity to the sector and to ensure that the sector is booming.” Akutah expressed.

Earlier , the Chairman , House Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, Abdussamad Dasuki said the Bill, when passed into law, will curb arbitrary charges and other illegality from operators in the nations maritime industry.

Speaking with newsmen shortly after the hearing, Hon. Dasuki explained that the Committee is still collating memoranda from various stakeholders on the Bill before going ahead to present the report before the House of Representatives for the Third Reading.

According to Hon. Dasuki, “We are still collating memoranda. You know the next process is to present the report to the House of Representatives for consideration.
“The Public Hearing today showed that every stakeholder in the Nigerian Maritime industry wants an economic regulator for the industry. The era of impunity has to stop.

“There were no concerns from everybody. The stakeholders input were very useful and educative for us today.

“The Bill seeks to repeal a law which is preventing the Nigerian Shippers Council from enforcing a presidential directive concerning economic regulation of the ports. Nigeria’s ,maritime industry is over due for this, and we will see to its implementation.”

Stakeholders comprising freight forwarders, shippers and maritime lawyers have expressed worry over the bill.