Economic regulator: Shippers Council’s approach is controversial —NMLA

The President of the Nigerian Maritime Law Association (NMLA), Mr Chidi Llogu has said that the reason issues between the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) and Seaport Terminal Operators of Nigeria (STOAN)/shipping agents is in court is because the approaches of the Shippers Council were controversial, following the appointment of the agency as economic regulator by the Federal Government.

It would be recalled that Mr Ilogu was Counsel to Shipping Line agents and STOAN who had dragged the Shippers’ Council to court, challenging its economic regulatory powers in the maritime sector

Speaking on the side-line during a courtesy call to the Shippers Council, recently, Llogu explained that the NMLA is appreciative of the c ouncil’s roles.

“We appreciate the role of the Shippers’ Council, but the approach is rather controversial and this is why some of these cases are in court. The laws have not been done the way they should. The laws was not amended, all they needed to have done was to amend the Council’s enabling Act so as to give enabling environment.

“However a good number of things could be done with an understanding of all industry players to ensure that practical issues are addressed and this is what we are doing.”

In his own presentation, the Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Hassan Bello said the agency is working with the Nigerian University Commission (NUC) to champion the inclusion of maritime and admiralty laws into the curriculum of all Nigerian universities, as well as creation of admiralty law faculties.