FG confirms granting Shippers Council economic regulator status on acting capacity

The Federal Government on Monday confirmed that it has granted the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) an approval to act as an economic regulator at the port with the effective administrative backing of the Federal Ministry of Transport.

Speaking at the opening ceremony of the annual Nigerian Maritime Expo (NIMAREX) 2014 in Lagos, Idris Umar, minister of transport, said that Shippers Council would be allowed to carry out the function of a regulator for the port pending when the National Assembly passes into law the National Transport Commission Bill, which seeks to establish a National Transport Commission that would serve as the economic regulator in the whole transport sector.

The minister disclosed that effort were ongoing by the Federal Executive Council and the National Assembly to ensure the passage of transport sector reform bills such as the Railway Bill, the Ports and Harbour Bill, and the Inland Waterway Bill. He added that Shippers Council was already focusing attention on development of truck transit parks in collaboration with private investors to ease the traffic and difficulties experienced in road transport and haulage business.

“Therefore, the council has signed memorandum of understanding with a private firm to develop a truck transit park at the International Trade Fair Complex, which is aimed at helping to eliminate the parking of trailers at the access roads to the Lagos ports. Another transit park is to be built in Lokoja and the state government is currently processing the land that would be used for the purpose,” the minister explained.

Hassan Bello, executive secretary, Nigerian Shippers Council, said the announcement was an affirmation from the Federal Government because the council had been a regulator for a very long time, adding that the council has been backed by law, which shows that it also has the teeth to bite.

“We need more of moderation than regulation in this industry. Therefore, we are going to intensify consultation and communication with the stakeholders to create that balance where all players would make profit, and we would also ensure that the services rendered would be of quality in line with investment made,” he said, noting that the investments had so far resulted to efficiency of the port operation, but there was need to make sure that cost was accessible and affordable with high quality.

“Shippers Council has been working on encouraging private sector participation in the transport sector because we believe that the private sector is the engine room that would bring a lot of changes, judging by the tonnage in the port before the private operators took over the port and the volume as today,” Bello said.

“The efficiency of the port has increased, turnaround time of ships has improved and the dwell time of cargo has also reduced. The Nigerian Port Authority has been doing well in their role as the technical regulator. Therefore, all we need is the synergy with all players to enable us achieve the right obligations of every player,” he added.