The presence of an economic port regulator in the Nigerian seaport system will enhance efficiency, check operators excesses and boost non-oil exportation, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Dr Pius Akutah has said.
Akutah said this on Wednesday while receiving a delegation of the Technical Unit on Governance and Anti-corruption Reforms (TUGAR), adding that “the NSC over the years has been battling with the issue of legal regime that guarantees its capacity to act as a proper regulator in the sector.”
The Nigerian Economy reports that the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill is currently awaiting President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s assent.
Akutah said: “The Minister has taken a step forward, and the Bill that was taken to National Assembly for the enactment of Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency has passed the two Chambers of the National Assembly.
“At the moment, the Bill awaits the assent of Mr. President. In that Bill, enforcement issues are critically dealt with.
“We believe that the major function of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) as a Steering Committee was to look at issues around enforcement of the manual as it relates to all Agencies within the port sector as well as the private sector.
“With the new Bill coming on board, and the new agency with all the enforcement power in the law, it will further enhance the quality of work of the committee.”
Akutah explained that law enforcement agencies “who have over time work with us in the PSTT will need to be commended for the work that they have done.
“We call on them to re-energize the Committee by appointing sufficient members of the team to join us in this work because one of the things will consider at the management level at the NSC is the enforcement mechanism”.
The Port Standing Task Team (PSTT) is a group that works to ensure compliance with the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) and to promote integrity in the maritime sector.
