Posted on May 26, 2025
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has expressed optimism that the National Assembly will forward the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill to the Presidency for assent in the next few weeks.
Speaking at the 2025 Annual Retreat of the Public Relations Unit of the Council in Lagos, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Pius Akutah, said: “The Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill has been passed by both chambers of the National Assembly, and the process of working on the bill to put it in proper perspective that can be sent to the Presidency for assent was just concluded recently. So, we are hopeful that the National Assembly will forward that to the president for assent in a few weeks to come.
“We are looking at the efficiency of the sector, which everyone has complained about. This bill has come to create that efficiency in the sector, it has come to protect the investment and also prevent those who are not serious about the sector from coming in, especially those that will come and mess up things.”
Commenting on the issues around removal of deposit charges on Nigerian consignments, Akutah said the council is working relentlessly to ensure that more shipping companies abolish the fees, after CMA CGM had agreed with the terms.
After commending the Public Relations Unit of the Council, Akutah said the theme for this year’s retreat – ‘Team building: Strategic Planning, Sharing Ideas to Stay Ahead of Competition’ – resonates with its activities for this year and the plans towards transmission from the Nigerian Shippers Council to the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency.
The Executive Secretary said: “I’m expecting that the outcomes of this retreat will shape the way that we carry on with our press activities. So, I’m expecting a very robust outcome from this retreat for which we can build on to achieve the success that we intend to achieve.”
Director, Strategic Planning and Research, NSC, Olurotimi Anifowose, enjoined the staff to always look at opportunities to market the council and keep upgrading their skills to impact positively on the image of NSC.
Assistant Director, Public Relations, NSC, Rebecca Adamu, appreciated the support of the Executive Secretary and management for making the retreat a reality.
Adamu urged members of the unit to improve on their deliveries, saying: “This retreat is our opportunity to reflect, refresh, and re-strategise to ensure that we remain not just relevant, but impactful in the way we communicate the Council’s vision to the public.”
