House of Reps passes Shippers’ Council Regulatory bill

The House of Representatives has passed the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill 2023, which seeks to repeal the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Act Cap N133 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, who made the disclosure during the opening ceremony of the 2024 Operational Retreat for Middle Level Management officers of the council in Lagos on Friday said the bill is currently awaiting passage by the Senate and presidential assent.

Akutah expressed optimism that the Senate would pass the bill soon, given that it has already done the first reading.

He said, “Just last week, the House of Representatives passed our bill, the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill.

“That’s a big step in the right direction. And just this last Tuesday, the Senate was poised to pass the bill so that it begins to prepare for Presidential Assent. We were there at the National Assembly up until 11pm, but because of the supplementary budget, that line on the other paper of the Senate was not taken.

“The Senate has done the first reading of the Bill, and what’s left is for them to pass the bill. But the National Assembly has gone on recess. We believe that as soon as they are back from recess, that Bill will be passed into law.”

Akutah said the bill when passed into law would strengthen the council by providing a legal framework for its operations and the regulatory framework that the sector needs to move forward.

The NSC boss thanked the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, for his support and the House of Representatives for the speedy passage of the bill.

“I want to take this opportunity to thank the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for all the support he has given this agency and for pushing the bill to the level that it is today. This goes to show that the sector is bracing up to a new beginning with him in the saddle directing the affairs.

“The Minister is driving the Blue economy ministry, writing up the policy for this sector, and he is keen to see that it kicks off to achieve the desire of Mr. President that this sector contributes to the national GDP, ” he said.

Addressing participants at the retreat, Akutah enjoined them to take the training as one of the avenues that the council is using to build capacity of its staff for the new role that the Council has assumed.

“The Nigerian Shippers Council, I want you to know is a key factor in moving the economy of this country forward through this sector that we have here.

“The role that we are playing as economic regulators, once we have the law in place, which gives us the capacity to not only bark but bite, I believe that the sector will be better for it. And we are counting on all of you here, as the engine room of this agency. Your role is crucial to move the agency forward, ” he said.

Photo caption:

L-R: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah; Director, Strategic Planning and Research, Mr. Rotimi Anifowose; and Director of Human Resources, Mrs. Ada Okam at the opening ceremony of the 2024 Operational Retreat for Middle Level Management officers of the Council in Lagos on Friday.