Group rejects proposed repeal of Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act

The Maritime Advocacy Foundation ( MAF) has rejected a proposed move by the National Assembly to repeal the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Act (Cap.133 LFN 2004) and replace it with a new agency, the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NSPERA).

In a statement issued by Fwdr Eugene Nweke, Head of Publicity for MAF, the group described the proposed repeal as a clandestine move aimed at undermining the interests of Nigerian shippers.

The House of Representatives’ Committee on Shipping Services has scheduled a public hearing for May 27, 2024, to repeal the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act, a development, which the group believes would be a “deliberate insult to the wisdom of our nation’s founding fathers and a threat to the livelihoods of Nigerian shippers.”

The group emphasized that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been a vital institution for over 36 years, protecting the interests of Nigerian shippers and promoting economic stability in the transport industry.

It urged the Ministers of Transportation and Marine & Blue Economy to reject the proposal and protect the interests of Nigerian shippers.

The statement reads, We the Maritime Advocacy Foundation , wishes to categorically state that It will be against the spirit of renewed hope mantra of the present administration to create a Marine and Blue Economy Ministry out of the Transport Ministry without a corresponding establishment to specifically protect the interest of the Nigerian Shippers in the whole transport industry. To say the least, the move to repeal the Nigerian Shippers Council Act ( Cap. 133 LFN 2004) is a deliberate insult to the wisdom of our nation’s founding fathers.

“We call on the Honorable Ministers of transportation and marine & blue economy to boldly save the interests of our shippers who had over the years sustained job creation in the country in addition to their contributions in revenue generation for budgetary objectives.

“We call on all stakeholders to join us in resisting this move and supporting the Nigerian Shippers’ Council. Let us counteract the activities of those who seek to undermine the interests of Nigerian shippers.”

The statement further highlighted the important role played by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to include protection against unfair trade, unfair competitions and bad business practices.

Others are, “Help at maintaining economic and trading stability, offering advisory and recommendations on informed trade realities and statistics to other relevant agencies.

“Evaluate trading climates and proffer solutions and remedying market failures, protecting the environment and proffer an economic management idealism.

“Ensuring that infrastructural services are delivered efficiently to the shippers, on the basis of fair competition and satisfactory delivery services to the shippers by the logistics services providers.

“Identifying the least factors impeding cost of production and quality services in the chain. it also ensures the identification of suitable services that shippers want or required in every sub chains.

“Possessing a legislative oversight jurisdiction to monitors and enforces compliance by other agencies via prompt consultation and professional engagements.

“Offer advice and information of general character on duties. collect, analyze and publish trade related activities statistics, data and forward recommendations and position statements to the appropriate agency & quarters for the purpose of upholding compliance and thus protecting the interest of the shippers.

“These objectives, among others, are what the Nigerian Shippers Council has kept fate with, for over 36 years.”