NPCC urges creation of port sector blue economy task force amidst $9bn annual losses

The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council ( NPCC) on Thursday disclosed that Nigeria is losing a staggering $9 billion annually due to the under-enforcement of the Cabotage Act, describing the situation as an “economic and patriotic emergency”.

This comes as the NPCC intensifies its call for urgent reforms within the nation’s port sector.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ engagement convened by the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy in Lagos, Bolaji Sumola, Chairman of the NPCC, urged the Ministry to establish a dedicated port sector blue economy task force to address this challenge and bring about needed port reforms.

Sumola stated that the proposed task force would pilot reforms across both Western and Eastern ports, emphasizing that the time for analysis is over.

“We are gathered not just to celebrate the approval of a visionary policy, but to chart a practical and urgent course for its successful implementation, particularly within our port sector, which remains the heartbeat of Nigerian marine and blue economy.

“The time for analysis is over. We now need execution. We propose that the Ministry inaugurate a port sector blue economic task force within 60 days and pilot reforms across both western and eastern ports with quarterly reviews and transparent performance metrics,” he stated.

The NPCC Chairman lauded the newly approved National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy as a “transformative blueprint” capable of significantly boosting job creation, fostering inclusive growth, and driving sustainable development through Nigeria’s vast maritime assets.

He, however, stressed that for the policy to truly deliver, it must translate into “feasible action, measurable outcomes, and prosperity for all people.”

In a position paper submitted by the Council, Sumola highlighted several critical areas requiring immediate and decisive action.

He noted that beyond the losses from Cabotage Act under-enforcement, Nigeria’s ports continue to suffer from unacceptably high cargo dwell times, a major deterrent to trade and a direct cost to the economy.

He advocated for digital reforms, robust port community systems, and continuous Customs modernization to bring the times down to acceptable international standards, asserting that “Every hour saved at our ports brings us closer to global competitiveness.”

He said, “We must intensify our commitment to local content enforcement.

“Nigerian losses over $9 billion annually due to under-enforcement of the Cabotage Act. This is an economic and patriotic emergency. Our ports must prioritize indigenous participation in shipping, terminal operations, and maritime services.

“We must ensure that upgraded and modernized infrastructures are smart, green, and accessible. We also need to ensure that our inner connectivity by rail, water, and road is seamless to avoid the congestion trap of the past.

“We must invest in people.
Our young people, our dock workers and seafarers, our marine professionals. The policy must translate into skills development, scholarship, apprenticeship, and new career paths in logistics, digital operations, and human capital will define the future of our ports.

“Our environmental standards must rise to or surpass global expectations. We can no longer afford oil spills, plastic pollution, or illegal dumping. Our ports must be certified and aligned with secular economic principles.

“Furthermore, we must fix our governance framework. Duplication of agencies, overlapping mandates, and manual clearance process must give way to a unified, efficient, and accountable system. Government agencies must lead the charge towards a single-window 24-7 port community.

“Finally, inclusion must be our guiding principle. The policy must empower and equip the youth and coastal communities through employment, entrepreneurship, and innovation channels. The blue economy must work for all, ” he said.