The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) is on the verge of transmuting to the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) as the bill is before President Bola Tinubu, awaiting assent.
Speaking while declaring the 2025 Operational Retreat for Middle Management, titled: ‘Building Regulatory and Operational Capacity for Middle Management,’ which opened in Abeokuta, Ogun State, the executive secretary of the Council, Dr Pius Akutah, said the national assembly has passed the bill, but the Council currently awaits President Tinubu’s assent.
According to the Shippers’ Council boss, the NPERA is a reflection of the current administration’s concerted efforts to create a more structured and efficient port regulatory system in Nigeria.
He explained further that President Tinubu’s commitment to dealing with regulatory issues in the sector was what led to the creation of the ministry of marine and blue economy.
“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. Also, you know that 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,”he said.
Dr Akutah also noted that unlike the current Shippers’ Council law, the passage of NPERA 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. You know that in that law, some legal provisions even have to do with criminal prosecutions.
“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, even as we have transited, 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 added.
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.
Speaking earlier, the director of Special Duties, NSC, Rotimi 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.
