Lagos, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)- THE Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) says its regulatory interventions and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanisms have protected the Nigerian economy from losses exceeding ₦90.60 billion and $1.348 million since November 2023, underscoring its growing role as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Pius Akutah, disclosed this during a media parley and luncheon with maritime editors and reporters in Lagos, where he presented the agency’s achievements over the past two years.
Akutah said the savings comprised ₦86.06 billion in unjustified demurrage charges prevented through regulatory interventions, alongside ₦4.54 billion and $1.348 million recovered through the resolution of commercial disputes involving importers, exporters, terminal operators and other port users.
According to him, between the fourth quarter of 2023 and the second quarter of 2026, the Council received 558 complaints, successfully resolving 295 commercial disputes through its ADR framework.
He said the disputes covered container deposits, demurrage, detention charges, terminal fees, cargo claims, export-related disputes and cases of export fraud.
Akutah attributed the achievements to the Council’s ongoing reform programme, which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda and the policy direction of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, aimed at strengthening port regulation, improving transparency and reducing the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports.
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As part of efforts to simplify port charges and eliminate arbitrary billing, he said the Council harmonised bonded terminal invoice charges from 18 categories to six, a move expected to reduce operational costs and improve pricing transparency for port users.
On the legislative front, Akutah highlighted the passage of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) Bill by both chambers of the National Assembly. He said the bill, which is awaiting presidential assent, will establish an independent port economic regulator with wider statutory powers to regulate tariffs, enforce service standards and promote fair commercial practices across the maritime industry.
He also described the approval of statutory funding for the Council under the 2025 Appropriation Act as a historic milestone, noting that it marks the first time since the Council was established in 1978 that it has secured dedicated statutory funding.
Akutah further disclosed that the Council had made significant progress in supporting the implementation of the National Single Window Project and resolving long-standing issues delaying the rollout of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), reforms expected to improve cargo clearance, enhance trade facilitation and strengthen regulatory certainty.
As part of its institutional transformation agenda, the Council deployed an Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), introduced a Leadership and Succession Planning Programme and recruited new personnel in line with Federal Civil Service guidelines to improve operational efficiency and service delivery.
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He added that preparations had reached an advanced stage for the 18th International Maritime Seminar for Judges, scheduled to hold later this month in Abuja, describing the annual event as an important platform for strengthening judicial capacity in maritime law and commercial dispute resolution.
Reaffirming the Council’s commitment to its statutory mandate, Akutah said the NSC would continue to safeguard the interests of shippers, promote fair competition, strengthen regulatory oversight and support the Federal Government’s efforts to build a transparent, efficient and globally competitive maritime sector capable of driving sustainable economic growth.
