Akutah unveils two-year scorecard as Shippers’ Council saves ₦90.6bn, advances port reforms

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has disclosed that its regulatory interventions and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms have protected the nation’s economy from losses amounting to over ₦90.60 billion and US$1.348 million since November 2023, reinforcing its position as Nigeria’s Port Economic Regulator.

Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, disclosed this on Saturday during a media parley and luncheon with maritime editors and reporters in Lagos, where he presented the agency’s scorecard over the past two years.

Dr. Akutah

According to Akutah, the savings comprise ₦86.06 billion in unjustified demurrage charges prevented through regulatory interventions, as well as an additional ₦4.54 billion and US$1.348 million recovered through the successful resolution of commercial disputes involving importers, exporters, terminal operators and other port users.

He revealed that between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2026, the Council received 558 complaints, out of which 295 commercial disputes were successfully resolved through its Alternative Dispute Resolution framework.

The disputes, he said, covered container deposits, demurrage, detention charges, terminal fees, cargo claims, export-related disputes and cases of export fraud.

Akutah explained that the achievements form part of a broader reform agenda aligned with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the policy direction of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, aimed at strengthening port economic regulation, promoting transparency and reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.

As part of efforts to simplify port charges and eliminate arbitrary billing, he said the Council harmonised bonded terminal invoice charges from 18 categories to six, a measure expected to reduce operational costs and improve transparency for port users.

The NSC boss also highlighted significant legislative and institutional milestones recorded during the period, notably the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill by both chambers of the National Assembly.

According to him, the proposed legislation, which is awaiting Presidential assent, will establish an independent port economic regulator with broader statutory powers to regulate tariffs, monitor service standards and ensure fair commercial practices across Nigeria’s port industry.

Akutah further described the approval of statutory funding for the Council through the 2025 Appropriation Act as a landmark achievement, noting that it represents the first time since the Council’s establishment in 1978 that it has secured dedicated statutory funding.

He said the Council also made significant progress in advancing the National Single Window Project and resolved critical issues that had delayed the implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), reforms expected to improve cargo clearance, enhance regulatory certainty and facilitate trade.

On institutional transformation, Akutah disclosed that the Council deployed an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), introduced a Leadership and Succession Planning Programme and recently recruited new personnel in line with Federal Civil Service guidelines to strengthen operational efficiency.

He added that preparations had been substantially concluded for the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, scheduled to hold later this month in Abuja, describing the annual forum as a strategic platform for deepening judicial understanding of maritime law and commercial dispute resolution.

Reaffirming the Council’s commitment to its statutory mandate, Akutah said the NSC would continue to protect the interests of shippers, promote fair competition, strengthen regulatory oversight and support the Federal Government’s drive to build a transparent, efficient and globally competitive maritime sector capable of driving national economic growth.

The media parley was attended by members of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s senior management team, including Mrs Ify Okolue, Director of the Consumer Affairs Department; Mr Mustapha Zubairu, Director of Special Duties; Mr Moses Abere of the Human Resources Department; and Mr Emeka Okereke of the Legal Services Department.

Also in attendance were Mr Paul Gwangwa of the Inland Transport Services Department; Mrs Rebecca Adamu, Head of the Public Relations Department; Mrs Adaora Nwonu, Deputy Director, Regulatory Services Department; and Mrs Juliana Saka, Assistant Director and Head of the Complaints Unit.