The President of the Coalition for Good Governance and Leadership (CGGL), Dr Ogunbiyi Oguntola has requested the House of Representatives to ensure the speedy passage of the proposed repeal and re-enactment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council and Economic Regulatory Bill.
This was contained in a statement signed by Dr Ogunbiyi Oguntola. The Civil Society Organisation said this will promote economic growth, strengthen the regulatory framework for the maritime industry, and enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, and protect the rights of shippers and stakeholders.
“The new bill seeks to repeal the existing Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act and enact a new Shippers’ Council and Economic Regulatory Act, which aims to strengthen the regulatory framework for the maritime industry, promote economic growth, and protect the rights of shippers and other stakeholders,” he added.
“The passage of this bill is critical to the growth and development of the maritime industry and the nation’s economy. The bill’s benefits include enhanced efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, leading to improved regulation and oversight of the maritime industry.
“It will also promote competition and innovation in the maritime industry, leading to reduced costs and improved services for shippers and other stakeholders.
“Additionally, it will protect the rights of shippers and other stakeholders, leading to increased confidence and investment in the maritime industry.
“Furthermore, it will increase revenue generation for the government, leading to improved funding for infrastructure development and other public services, and create jobs and economic opportunities for Nigerians, leading to improved economic growth and development.
“The bill will address the current challenges facing the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, including the lack of an enabling law to back up its status as a Port Economic Regulator. This has hindered the agency’s ability to enforce sanctions on ports and shipping stakeholders in the nation’s maritime sector.”
The CSO, therefore, urged the House to ensure the speedy passage of this bill, which it says is critical to the growth and development of the maritime industry and the nation’s economy.
“We believe that the speedy passage of this bill will enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, promote economic growth, and protect the rights of shippers and other stakeholders,” the statement added.
“Additionally, we appeal to them to consider the importance of stakeholder engagement and consultation in the regulatory process, to ensure that the interests of all stakeholders are taken into account”.
They also urged the house to consider increased funding to help the shippers council discharge its duties.
“We also urge the House to consider the need for adequate funding and resources for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, to enable it to effectively discharge its responsibilities, and the importance of international cooperation and collaboration, to ensure that Nigeria’s maritime industry is competitive and aligned with global best practices.”
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council is an agency of the Federal Government responsible for protecting exporters and importers in Nigeria as well as its goods. The Agency is an affiliation of the Nigerian Ports Authority and was under the supervision of the Ministry of Transportation.
The council is focused on the importing and exporting of cargo with regards to port-to-port shipment and other chains of transportation. Its mandate is to establish an effective environment for all Nigerian stakeholders by putting a sufficient and good economic regulatory system in the Nigerian Port transportation sector.
The new bill will grant the Shippers council the regulatory power to perform the role of an interim Port Regulator with the administrative backing of the federal government. All service providers at the Nigerian ports shall all register with the council and be answerable to the Nigerian Shippers council.
