NSC boss, Akutah calls for collective effort to sanitise maritime industry

THE Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, has emphasized the need for a collective effort to sanitise Nigeria’s maritime sector.

He made this call recently during a stakeholder meeting held at the Council’s Headquarters in Lagos.

Dr. Akutah acknowledged the significant contributions of investors to the nation’s economy and assured that the Council will exercise its regulatory mandate to ensure the sector’s growth. He also emphasized the importance of collaboration among stakeholders to address challenges and proffer lasting solutions.

Key issues raised during the meeting include: the need for Automation in port operations, Container Deposit Refund, Objective Decision-Making, extortion on port access roads and high freight rates.

Responding, Mr. Adekunle Oladipo, General Manager, Office of the NPA Managing Director, who represented the NPA Boss, commended the NSC for bringing stakeholders together.

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He assured that the NPA would look into the issues raised and provide a submission. He also confirmed approval to execute a 15 percent increase in charges, which will be used for port infrastructure development.

The meeting, which brought together representatives from various sectors groups including shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders, consolidators, truckers, shippers’s associations, manufacturers associations and government agencies, demonstrated a collective commitment to addressing the challenges facing Nigeria’s maritime sector and promoting its growth and development.