The ES, NSC, Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah flanked by Mrs Ify Okolue and Mr. Rotimi Anifowoshe to the left and Mrs. Margaret Ogbonna to the right.
Story by Dili Utomi.
“When we gave the approval for charge increase to the shipping companies, it was with an instruction that they engage the stakeholders first and that still stands, but the approval was suspended because they did not obey that instruction. The lifting of the suspension is therefore the reason we have met in order to have a more open conversation about it and that has been achieved here today”.
Those were some of the words of the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council , Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah as journalists sought more clarifications, Tuesday at the end of the stakeholders meeting which took place at the Council’s Training Room.
The Room had been packed to the rafters with NSC officials, shipping companies executives, stakeholders as well as journalists. The occasion was ably handled by a Director in the Council, Rotimi Anifowoshe and there was a level of decorum as compared to the one that was inconclusive in January.
Earlier in the day, the Director, Consumers Affairs of the Council, Mrs. Ify Okolue in her opening speech noted that tarrif review is necessary to ensure that tariffs are:
Economically justified.
Fair to port users
Reflective of prevailing market conditions
Supportive of operational sustainability
Given the strategic role of shipping in international trade and its direct impact on the cost of goods. She added that tariff review must strike a careful balance between commercial viability of operators and protection of national economic interests.
Dr Akutah making his presentation.
She concluded that “Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s approval was granted only after the Council was satisfied that the request met regulatory thresholds and was not arbitrary”.
In his keynote address, the Executive Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Pius Ukeyima Akutah also noted that the Council’s role is not to hinder business operations, but to ensure that all tariff-related decisions are justified, evidence-based, and aligned with the broader national interests.
The ES warns that “the sustainability of our port system depends on a shared understanding that no single stakeholder operates in isolation. The success of one is ultimately tied to the stability of the entire system. It is only through collaboration, mutual respect, and adherence to due process that we can achieve a port environment that is efficient, competitive and globally respected”.
He advises participants to use use the opportunity to strengthen the collective resolve, rebuild confidence where necessary and chart a path forward that serves both industry sustainability and national economic growth.
The interactive session gave opportunities to all stakeholders to air their opinions regarding the charge increase. Mrs. Boma Alabi of the Shipping Association of Nigeria condemned the picketing of shipping companies likening the action to thuggery, she added that “cost increase is justifiable as the businesses in other sectors have had about 200% increase in charges, we all operate under the same economy”
Godfrey Emeka Nwosu, the general secretary of NAGAFF noted that “this is the very first engagement called by the NSC to address the subject matter and the shipping companies have over time acted with a certain level of impunity”.
Emmanuel Onyeme of ANLCA complained that “shipping companies and terminal operators have always used trucks as holding bays”. He added that since this is the first meeting to address the matter of charge that they will need to go back for consultation.
Dr. Jamilu Gorroh, president of Shipping Association of Nigeria said “we are the owners of cargoes, in every charge increase, there must be processes and procedures, but we are not sure if any process and procedure had been followed”.
Comrade Chinedu Ukatu of the Ndigboamaka Progressive Markets Association, an umbrella body of 58 markets in Lagos State weighed in on the issue of charge increase. He opined that “going forward, a stakeholders forum should be established and more engagements should happen possibly on monthly basis, this is in order to address relevant issues as they come up”.
Chief George Ndubuisi of the Importers Associations of Nigeria in his presentation noted the challenges faced by importers. He detailed some of them as:
Somersault in government policies.
Extortion at Nigerian Ports.
Revenue target setting policies which encourage exploitation.
Demand for unofficial payments.
The 4% free on board charge.
Multiple alerts.
Physical cargo examination which cause delays and present human contact.
Multilayered activities of different agencies which see themselves as revenue generating agencies.
High cost of transportation and many others.
Chief Ndubuisi calls for everyone to collaborate in creating a transparent, efficient and business-friendly port environment.
Comrade Akeem Ayobiojo of APFFLON also harped on the not-so-friendly activities of the Maritime Police who have made it a duty to stop already cleared cargoes at whims, claiming suspicion of cargoes, but have the same cargoes released as soon as money changes hands. He asked that this matter be seriously looked into by the NSC.
A cross section of participants at the meeting.
The Executive Secretary, Dr. Akutah in addressing all the concerns of the stakeholders said that “We have never approved any tarrif increase for two years. When we gave the approval, it was after due consideration of every factor-what obtains in other sectors including the operational costs before arriving at the 30% increase that was approved, which also is the upper limit”.
His words “We had asked the shipping companies to engage the stakeholders before the implementation of the charge increase, but they did not carry the advice out, this resulted in the picketing of the shipping companies by freight forwarders and our eventual suspension of the approval. The suspension is now lifted, but the shipping companies must engage the stakeholders before implementation”. He concluded.
After the meeting, it is expected that all parties will sheath their sword and find a middle ground through continuous dialogue. Again, the matter of glitches that were occasioned within the newly launched National Single Window platform was briefly touched on and the resultant demurrages incurred may become another area of concern. For now, relative peace seem to have returned to the sector, albeit temporarily.
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