Analysis3 hours ago
Nigeria Shippers’ Council: The Paradox of Saved Billions And Loss of Billions
BY GGBOGBOWA GBOWA The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has been basking in the glow of its recent announcement: ₦90.6 billion in economic losses prevented over the past three years. Executive Secretary Dr. Pius Akutah credits the Council’s interventions in demurrage disputes, tariff harmonization, and alternative dispute resolution for the savings, a figure that underscores the Council’s growing role as Nigeria’s port economic regulator. From settling conflicts with global shipping giants like Maersk and CMA CGM, to harmonizing bonded terminal charges and facilitating collective bargaining agreements for maritime workers, the Council has positioned itself as a bulwark against exploitative practices. For shippers, the ₦90.6 billion claim is more than a statistic; it is proof that regulatory oversight can translate into tangible economic relief. This economic gain no doubt stands Dr Pius Akutah tall as a performing CEO, one that understands his primary role in the national and political economy. The announcement is also necessary to give Nigerians the benefit of a full understanding of the how the Akutah led NSC management has performed since he came onboard, his grasp of the dynamics of governance in the delivery of cost-efficient services. Yet, beyond the headline numbers, stakeholders point to a stubborn reality: the Council’s inability to prevent arbitrary increments in truckers’ fees at the ports. Importers and exporters complain that while demurrage charges have been checked, haulage costs continue to spiral. But in truth these troubling charges are driven by fuel hikes, poor access roads, and the dominance of trucking unions. For many, this gap reveals the limits of the Council’s mandate. While empowered to regulate shipping lines and terminal operators, the NSC has little direct control over road haulage pricing. Without any equivocation, the result is a paradox of sort: billions saved on one front, and billions lost on another. Industry watchers argue that reconciling these contradictions requires more than dispute resolution. Expanded legislative authority under the pending Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill, coupled with infrastructure investment to ease port congestion, could give the Council the leverage it needs to rein in trucking costs. Until then, the NSC’s ₦90.6 billion claim stands as both a triumph and a reminder that regulation can deliver savings, but without holistic oversight, the cost of moving goods through Nigeria’s ports will remain a contested terrain. Is it possible however to address this lacuna through policy initiative with conscientious, bold and focused implementation drive, free of divided intents and attention? The answer is yes, but lies squarely on the court of the presidential economic team, the presidential enabling business environment council, the federal ministry of marine and blue economy, and its relevant agencies.
