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Tag: Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC)

  • Shippers Council decries 2% Port Dev Levy

    Shippers Council decries 2% Port Dev Levy

    The the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima has  said the 2 per cent funding that it currently gets from the 7 percent Port Development Levy (PDL) is not only inadequate to meet the scale of the Council’s statutory responsibilities but also lacks a firm legislative backing, leaving the Council’s financial base unstable.

    Akutah spoke yesterday, when the Senate Committee on Marine Transport paid an oversight visit to the Council.

    He urged the Senate Committee to accelerate enactment of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulation Act (NIPERA) Bill 2025, into law, and also champion the Council’s financial independence through the 1 percent Freight Stabilisation Fee (FSF)

    According to him: “Permit me first to commend His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu whose Renewed Hope Agenda has provided the vision and political will to reform Nigeria’s Marine and Blue Economy sector.

    “We also salute the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for his dynamic leadership, which has guided and supported the Council in repositioning itself as a driver of trade facilitation, regulation, and growth.

    “Distinguished Senators, I must specially acknowledge the National Assembly, and in particular this Committee, for your tireless collaboration with the Council. Your historic role in the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulation Act (NIPERA) Bill, 2025, is a milestone that will forever reshape Nigeria’s maritime industry.

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    “Chairman and Distinguished Senators, under the guidance of the Ministry and in partnership with the National Assembly, the Council has pursued reforms with measurable impact in: Streamlining port processes and reducing logistics bottlenecks to ease doing business; Coordinating Transport Infrastructure such as Inland Dry Ports and Vehicle Transit Areas to expand port services to the hinterland; Regulating tariffs and charges to protect shippers and promote transparency; and supporting Nigeria’s readiness for AfCFTA by developing dispute resolution systems, reducing trade costs, and enhancing competitiveness.

    “These reforms, backed by your oversight, reflect our shared commitment to make Nigeria a trade and maritime hub for the region.

    “Distinguished Senators, we are equally proud to highlight completed projects at Shippers’ Towers which demonstrate prudent resource utilisation and our commitment to creating a modern, functional work environment.

    “These proposed projects are designed to guarantee safety, enhance operational efficiency, and ensure Shippers’ Towers reflects the dignity of a national economic regulator.”

    On challenges confronting the Port Economic regulator, Dr. Akutah revealed that, “While we have made progress, challenges remain, particularly in funding and sustaining the independence of the Council.

    “At present, the Council relies largely on the 2 percent from the 7 percent Port Development Levy (PDL) as its main source of funding. “However, this levy is not only inadequate to meet the scale of our statutory responsibilities but also lacks a firm legislative backing, leaving the Council’s financial base unstable.

    “To address this, we respectfully seek your urgent support in two critical areas: Accelerated enactment of the NIPERA Bill into law to consolidate the Council’s mandate, strengthen investor confidence, and ensure effective enforcement of economic regulation; and champion the Council’s financial independence through the 1 percent Freight Stabilisation Fee. “This fee, established under Section I. (3) of 1995 and Section 7(2)(c) of the NSC Act, is not a tax but a statutory service charge for regulatory functions such as tariff monitoring, cost regulation, cargo protection, dispute resolution, and trade facilitation.

    “Distinguished Senators, let me stress that the fee does not conflict with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act (NTA) 2025. The Act harmonises collection, but it does not abolish legally established service-based revenue streams. On the contrary, this fee complements the unified collection framework, ensuring the Council has sustainable funding while all revenues are duly collected through the Nigeria Revenue Service and remitted into the Consolidated Revenue Fund.

    “This model is consistent with global best practice, from Ghana to Kenya to South Africa, and aligns with the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement, which allows charges proportionate to services rendered. Without this dedicated stream, the Council, and NIPERA when fully operational, risks financial incapacitation, jeopardising both our reform gains and Nigeria’s readiness under AfCFTA.”

    In his remarks, the Chairman, Senate Committee on Marine Transport, Senator Wasiu Sanni Eshinlokun said that the performance of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as a port economic regulator and a key driver of efficiency in shipping is central to Nigeria’s economic aspirations.

    In the words: “The maritime industry, and particularly shipping, is a catalyst for national development. It contributes significantly to job creation, industrial growth, and foreign exchange aims. Therefore, the performance of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as a port economic regulator and a key driver of efficiency in shipping is central to Nigeria’s economic aspirations.

    As a committee, he said, “ we are determined to support these reforms and ensure that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council continues to deliver on its mandate. Our oversight today will afford the opportunity to engage constructively, review progress made, understand the challenges faced, and recommend pragmatic solutions that will enhance service delivery and boost economic growth.

    Together with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and our stakeholders, Eshinlokun said, we shall work to strengthen the shipping sub-sector as a driver of Nigeria’s economic prosperity.”

  • Fed Govt to begin implementation of cargo tracking note at seaports by Q2 2025

    Fed Govt to begin implementation of cargo tracking note at seaports by Q2 2025

    The federal government will begin the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) across the nation’s ports by the second quarter of this year, it was learnt.

    The Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Pius Ukeyima Akutah revealed this in Ibadan, yesterday.

    Akutah spoke during the Five Year Strategic Management Retreat held with the theme: The Future-Transition from Nigerian Shippers Council to Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) in Ibadan, Oyo State

    The NSC scribe said that the Council’s 2025 budget is strategically anchored on the 1 per cent freight stabilisation fee, with plans to commence its collection upon Presidential assent to the NPERA Bill.

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    According to him, “With profound honour, I welcome you to this transformative management retreat. Today, we embark on a pivotal journey to define the future of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) as it transitions into the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).

    “This retreat marks a critical step in shaping a comprehensive 5-year strategic plan for 2025–2029, designed to advance the maritime sector through enhanced efficiency, adaptability, and innovation.

    The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, he said, has a proud legacy of resilience and impact—protecting shippers’ interests, fostering fair trade practices, and driving competitiveness within our ports.

    “Over the past year, the Council has recorded remarkable achievements, including: Signing the Minimum Standards of Conditions of Service for Workers in the Shipping Industry; Launching the Operational Manual for Inland Dry Ports & Hosting the 17th International Maritime Seminar for Judges; Rolling out the Online Registration Portal for regulated port service providers and users; Developing the E-Regulatory Process Portal (ERPP) and the Confirmation of Reasonableness of Demurrage, Freight Rate, and Charter Party Fees (CRD) Portal; Recovering billions of naira through robust complaints handling mechanisms; and Introducing a Leadership Development Program to strengthen institutional capacity through succession planning.

    “These accomplishments underscore our unwavering commitment to delivering value to stakeholders and ensuring a seamless transition to NPERA.

    “Notably, under the guidance of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) is scheduled for implementation in the second quarter of this year, setting the stage for enhanced revenue generation and operational oversight.”

    Looking ahead, the Council’s 2025 budget, he said, ” is strategically anchored on the 1% freight stabilization fee, with plans to commence its collection upon Presidential assent to the NPERA Bill.

    “Our focus during this retreat will revolve around four strategic priorities: Strengthening stakeholder engagement to foster inclusivity and collaboration; Promoting transparency and fairness through predictable regulatory policies; Enhancing operational efficiency to prepare for a seamless transition to NPERA; and driving sustainability by aligning economic growth with environmental responsibility.

    This retreat, according to him, “is not merely a planning session but a collaborative platform for crafting actionable solutions and building a solid framework for regulatory excellence. By uniting our expertise, creativity, and dedication, we can lay the foundation for a more competitive, inclusive, and sustainable maritime sector.

    “As the programme outlines, each Directorate has a clearly defined role, emphasising the hands-on approach required to implement NPERA successfully. Let us seize this opportunity to shape a future of innovation, excellence, and progress,” Akutah said

  • Yam export: FG to train farmers on best agronomy practices

    Yam export: FG to train farmers on best agronomy practices

    The Technical Committee on Nigeria Yam Export Programme, says it will train farmers on best agronomic practices for yam farming to avoid rejection of the produce at the international markets.

    Prof. Simon Irtwange, the Chairman of the committee, disclosed this plan in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja on Monday.

    The chairman said that poor agronomic practices during farming contributed to the rejection of the country’s produce at the international market, hence the need for the training.

    NAN recalls that the Federal Government had announced that the country would commence exportation of about 74 tonnes of yam to Europe and United States of America (USA) by June 29.

    Irtwange said the committee was partnering with the Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria to carry out the training.

    He noted that the training would help sensitise farmers on the use of pesticides as well as other requirements for the produce.

    According to him, we are also in collaboration with the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) to provide improved yam seedlings to the farmers.

    “The committee is supposed to provide technical guidance for anybody who wants to go into yam export.

    “The exporter must be conversant with the standards for yam export and it the job of the committee to take exporters through the standards so that they will know what the requirements are.

    “The committee will also make sure that farmers under the Yam Farmers, Processors and Marketers Association of Nigeria, are trained on farming, processing and marketing.

    “IITA has told us that seedlings will be made available and we want to promote businesses around the yam seedlings value chain,’’ he said.

    Irtwange said that the Nigeria Export Promotion Council (NEPC) had made its yam conditioning centre in Zaki Biam, Benue State, available to exporters for the cleaning, wrapping and packaging of the produce before export.

    “The first requirement for any intending yam exporter is to get your exporters registration certificate from the Nigeria Export Promotion Council, then you come to the technical committee and we show you what to do.

    “What we are trying to have is a Nigerian yam pack house in Lagos and all regulatory agencies will be there to certify the produce.

    “The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) will be there to make sure that it is truly yams that are in the cartons, SON will be there to make sure that the yams are exportable varieties and conform to standard weighing about 2kg with a net weight of 20kg per carton.

    “The Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) will also be there to make sure we do not export diseases to other countries.’’ the chairman said.

    NAN recalls that Chief Audu Ogbeh, the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, inaugurated the committee in February to sensitise farmers and exporters on required international standards of yam before exportation.

    The committee which is private sector led, has representatives from the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Service (NAQS) as its members.

    Other members of the committee include the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), NEPC, Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), among others.

  • Kaduna Dry Port to commence operation soon – NSC

    Kaduna Dry Port to commence operation soon – NSC

    The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) says the Kaduna Dry Port has been completed and is set to commence operation after final inspection in June.

    The Executive Secretary of the council, Hassan Bello, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday in Abuja, that the Kaduna port was the first to be completed in the country.

    Bello said that the Federal Ministry of Transportation would embark on the final inspection of the completed Kaduna Dry Port in June to ensure that it meets international standard.

    He said that the first inspection was undertaken by the shippers council to ensure that everything was properly done ahead of the second and final inspection to be carried out by the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi.

    “The inspection is to ensure that it meets international standard, in terms of security, accessibility; having access to roads, in terms of pavement and also warehouse for both import and export.

    “And also provision of offices for regulatory authorities like Customs, Shippers council and Traffic management.

    “This dry port is the only one for now in Nigeria for exports; goods can be exported to other part of the world to diversify the economy, “ Bello said.

    The shippers council executive secretary, however, said that railway was vital to the success of dry ports, and expressed the hope that all ports would be linked to rail lines.

    NAN reports that work on the Kaduna dry port, funded by the shippers council and Kaduna State Government, lasted for three years.

  • Stakeholders agree on 24-hour services in Nigerian ports

    Stakeholders have agreed that the maritime industry should operate for 24 hours to facilitate efficient cargo handling and delivery services to consignees.

    The stakeholders reached the concensus in a communique issued at the end of a one-day Town Hall Meeting on Cargo Handling and Port Charges organised by Publishers of Business and Maritime West Africa magazine.

    “Pending the establishment of the proposed National Transport Commission or an appropriate regulatory authority, the Federal Government should set up an ad-hoc committee to verify and fine tune the current cargo handling practices and charges by terminal operators.

    “The Federal Government must urgently evaluate the benefits or otherwise of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme (ETLS), as well as the level of implementation of the Common External Tariffs ( CET) by ECOWAS member-states.

    “The Federal Government must have a rethink on the underlying philosophy of Nigeria’s trade relations with her neighbours;

    “There is need for regular stakeholders’ meetings where issues affecting the industry will be discussed,’’ the communiqué said.

    The stakeholders said that hostilities between port operators and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) should cease.

    They also suggested that extortion by field staff of government agencies must be checkmated.

    “As done in Ghana in August 2016, Nigeria must immediately stop the practice of shipping companies and terminal operators invoicing consignees for Terminal Handling Charges (THC).

    “Nigeria must review its application of the ECOWAS Common External Tariff.

    “Nigeria must enthrone a system of effecting refund of container deposits within five days of submission of application, even as any limitation period for refund submission must be eliminated,’’ the communique said.

    The stakeholders said the Federal Ministry of Works, Housing and Power must urgently fix all dilapidated ports access roads.

    They noted that all terminal operators should provide the required infrastructure as negotiated in the concession agreements;

    “Operators of off-dock terminals/bonded warehouses must upgrade their facilities, as a matter of urgency.

    “Nigeria must enthrone real-time Information Communication Technology (ICT) inter-connectivity in the maritime industry  to facilitate efficient operations.

    “There is need for Nigeria to adopt global best practices in the provision of maritime safety and security for safe and secured shipping in a cleaner marine environment,’’ the stakeholders said.

    The forum drew key stakeholders from both public and private sectors of the maritime industry, including various government agencies, organised private sector groups and banks.

     

  • NSC seeks introduction of Admiralty laws in universities

    The Executive Secretary of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Mr. Hassan Bello, has suggested the introduction of Admiralty Laws in the curriculum of Nigerian Universities.

    Bello made the suggestion when members of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA) visited the NSC’s headquarters in Lagos.

    He called for collaboration between the council and the maritime lawyers to promote maritime laws and address critical matters in the industry.

    According to him, the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Nigerian Maritime Law Association had over the years had robust relationship.

    He urged the association to continue with the spirit of collaboration to enable the industry attain the hub status in the West and Central Africa sub-region.

    Bello told the visiting team that the legislators had demanded for Maritime Seminar for Legislator to enable them to be familiar with maritime laws.

    He said that this would go a long way in addressing the delay being experienced during passage of maritime laws and would also speed the passage of pending maritime laws.

    Bello said that the council being the Economic regulator was concerned with the ease of doing business at the ports.

    He said that many terminal operators and government agencies had keyed into the automotive system of cargo clearance, which had reduced the time of cargo clearance.

    The President of NMLA, Mr. Chidi Ilogu, said that the association was saddled with the responsibility of making Nigerian ports friendlier by making maritime laws more understandable by the legislators.

    “Boosting our international trade is part of our economic diversification and our maritime sector should be positioned to support our agricultural products.

    “Supporting our agricultural products is another way of diversifying the economy and for us to have a robust, efficient judicial system to support our economic development.

    “Judges and lawyers should be abreast of contemporary developments in the maritime sector,” the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) quotes Ilogu as saying.

    He said that President Muhammadu Buhari during the Maritime Seminar for Judges held in June 2016 described the maritime sector as the best alternative revenue source in the face of falling oil and gas foreign currency inflows.

    The NMLA president said that the maritime industry had potential for employment and investments.

    He said that to remove corruption out of the maritime industry, there was need to have lucid, clear, simple and predictable rules governing economic activities.

    Ilogu said that the council had been directed to champion the introduction of at least the basics of maritime laws in the curricula of all schools, especially Faculties of Law of Nigerian Universities.

    He said that the NSC would collaborate with the NUC to introduce Maritime Law in Faculties of Law in Nigerian Universities.

    Also speaking the Vice President of the association, Mr. Mike Igbokwe, said that availability of manpower to handle maritime law in various universities should be put into consideration.

    Igbokwe said that government should look into some of the policies affecting the maritime industry.

    He suggested that government should also empower its agencies for adequate provisions of their enabling Act.

    “There is need for government to critically look into cargo diversion and come up with maritime policies which would enable full implementation of importation and exportation of goods.

    “There is need to look at relevant laws and for us to act on to enable the maritime industry to achieve more success, ‘’ NAN quotes Igbokwe as saying.

    The Secretary of the Association, Mr Adedoyin Afun, said that over-lapping maritime laws was affecting the growth of the maritime industry.

    Afun said that laws such as the Merchant Shipping Act and others could be critically looked at before putting it before the National Assembly.

    He suggested looking into all the enabling laws, identify the outdated ones and provide solutions, before presenting them to the appropriate authorities for action.

    An Executive member of the association, Mrs. Jean Chiazor-Anishere, commended the efforts of the council for putting many things into consideration to ensure that Nigerian ports operate a fully automotive system to reduce the time of doing business at the ports.

    Chiazor-Anishere urged the Council with the Committee constituted by the Minister of Transportation, which was domiciled in the council, to look into the introduction of Admiralty law in Nigerian universities.

    She also urged the committee to look into training the legislators on maritime laws.

    “Nigerian Shippers’ Council and the Committee have successfully established maritime law courses in the University of Lagos and one other university in the country.

    “Introduction of Maritime Law in the curriculum of Nigerian universities will help provide a clear understanding of maritime issues.

    “It is expected that the teaching of the subject, will help speed up complex maritime cases like impounding of vessels and prosecution,’’ NAN quotes Chiazor-Anishere as saying.

    In her closing remarks, the 2nd Vice President of NMLA, Mrs. Funke Agbor, said that NMLA was the only recognised branch of the Comite Maritime International (CMI) in Nigeria, to ensure that “Admiralty law is taught in universities at both undergraduate and post-graduate levels’’.

     

  • Shippers Council bans ports fee collection

    Shippers Council bans ports fee collection

    The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has banned   professional fees collection by all associations at the ports.

    Its Executive Secretary  Hassan Bello,  who gave the order at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders at Eastern Ports, Port Harcourt yesterday said the proper place for such revenue drive is the organisation’s secretariat.

    Represented by the Deputy Director, Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Cajetan Agu, Bello said the decision is sequel to stakeholders’ outcry at the ports against the practice.

    The executive secretary also said despite the fact that the appointment of the NSC as Port Economic Regulators came midway last year after the ports  have been concessioned in 2006 with its attendant odds, the council still performed.

    He also pointed out that  getting approved standard tariff for freight forwarders, developing standard operating procedures for operators at the ports among others are some of  the achievements the council has recorded within the short period of its existence as economic port regulators.

    He said the council would do more with the cooperation of other stakeholders in the maritime industry.

    The NSC executive secretary also said all the issues raised by the stakeholders at the meeting would be dutifully followed up with the Ministry of Transportation, expressing hope that the new Minister of Transportation would  address them accordingly.

    He specifically promised to take up the issue of several checkpoints along Port Harcourt -Aba,  and Owerri –Onitsha Highways, as well as the dormant nature of eastern ports with the Federal Government.

    On the alleged monopoly of operations by some major operators at the ports, Bello said the current leadership of NSC is committed to ensuring a level playing ground for all stakeholders.

    “My message to the operators is to be compliant, obey the laws, as NSC is ready to provide a level playing field to all operators,” he assured.

  • Shippers Council seeks probe of N20b Calabar Port dredging

    Shippers Council seeks probe of N20b Calabar Port dredging

    The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in Cross River State has urged President Muhammadu Buhari to probe the N20 billion contract awarded to Calabar Channel Managemnt (CCM) for dredging Calabar Port by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

    The shippers lamented that the dredging contract has become a conduit pipe through which successive administrations in the country looted funds, adding that every 10 years, the contract is awarded, money paid while contractors disappear from site after collecting money.

    NSC President Mike Ogodo told reporters yesterday that this is the third time the dredging has been abandoned.

    He alleged that CCM that the former ruler awarded the N20 billion contract does not have any known office in Calabar, the state capital.

    The shippers also urged the governor, Ben Ayade, the House of Assembly as well as the entire country to look into the matter

    Ogodo said: “From information in public domain, a contract is awarded for the dredging of the Calabar Port every 10 years. The first was by the government of General Sani Abacha in 1996. This contract has no evidence of execution. The little unknown Chinese company showed up for a while and  vanished. And it was all over with the dredging of our dear Port. Ten years later in 2006 under President Olusegun Obasanjo, the same contract was awarded again to two Dutch companies at a total cost of $56 million. Both companies abandoned the job.

    “They vanished like their Chinese friends of 1996. Meanwhile our pain grew, our suffering persisted as shipping activities at the port grounded to a halt and the port fell out of favour with shipping lines due to the shallowness of its access.”

    He added that on November 17, last year,   represented by ex-Vice President Namadi Sambo, Jonathan began the dredging of the port to the joy and happiness of all stakeholders who had worked hard behind the scene and prayed to make that event a reality.

    He said: “We are shocked that CCM that won the N20 billion contract  has no identifiable office in Calabar. It will serve public good for this company and its Managing Director, Mr Peter Hekken, to come  clean with stakeholders and the Nigerian public and explain why they are no longer interested with the continuation of the job. They should tell Nigerians and the authorities how much of Nigerian tax payers’ money they have collected for this job and how much verifiable work they have executed.

    “The Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) signed off this contract on behalf of the Federal Government with the approval of the Federal Executive Council granting it the direct authority to fund the project.

    “It is for this reason we hereby call on the management of the NPA  to inform Nigerians and the new administration of how much money it has disbursed to CCM with respect to this contract and for what quatum/work value. Is it true that NPA has fully disbursed N20 billion to CCM?”