Samson Echenim 
The bill to constitutionally re-establish the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) as the port economic regulator will soon be signed into law by President Bola Tinubu, the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Council, Dr Pius Akutah has disclosed.
Dr Akutah said this while declaring open, the 2025 operational retreat for middle management, themed, “Building Regulatory and Operational Capacity for Middle Management,” in Abeokuta, Ogun State, on Wednesday.
According to him, the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NIPERA) now awaiting the President’s assent having since been passed by the National Assembly is a game changer and would empower the Council to become a strong and independent economic regulator of the ports in Nigeria.
He emphasised that the NIPERA is a reflection of concerted efforts by the Tinubu-led administration to create a more structured and efficient port regulatory system in Nigeria.
He said: “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 Assent. 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. 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 NIPERA 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,” Akuta said.
He however highlighted current efforts being made by the Council to ensure a friendly port environment for trade to thrive, hinting that the council’s coming status would be evolutionary.
“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, 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,” he said.
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.
Making a presentation at the retreat, a former Director General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Mrs Mfon Usoro emphasized the need to manage fiscal regulatory issues.
In her presentation titled, “Understanding the New Regulatory Environment, Regulatory Framework and Transition, she expressed optimism that NIPERA would provide regulatory framework for effective and efficient economic regulation of ports services, guard against arbitrariness and promote fair competition.
Usoro called on other sister agencies under the Marine and Blue Economy Ministry to work closely with the Council in achieving the new mandate.
In his introductory speech, Director Strategic Planning &: Research, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, Olurotimi Anifowoshe, 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.
