Why Nigeria Can’t Afford to Let the Port Regulatory Bill Fail

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About two weeks ago, the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius reaffirmed the Council’s commitment to its role as the Economic Regulator of the ports, while actively pursuing its transition into the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).

Dr. Akutah stated this at a sensitization programme, which held in Kaduna, on the online portal for the registration of regulated port service providers and users.

As normal and innocuous as the statement appears, it also triggers an alarm, which reminds one of events leading to the ‘death’ of the precursor of the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill; that is, the National Transport Commission (NTC) Bill. The NTC Bill was killed at the Presidency by the powers that be, at that time

The NPERA Bill was first passed by the House of Representatives; that is after the tedious legislative procedure. It was later given a concurrent passage at the Senate. From there, it was transmitted to the Presidency, for the all-important assent by the President.

As a maritime media organization, we recall that for many years, the Nigeria Shippers’ Council has been taunted as a toothless bulldog, an ineffective agency that is at the mercy of those it is supposed to regulate.

Created originally to protect the interests of Nigerian shippers, the Council struggled to tame the service providers who exploit shippers. It is true that the Council had tried severally to get the shipping line agencies and the terminal operators to obey the rules of the game in Nigeria. It is true that it has been difficult to enforce its own enabling laws.

Not even the gazette that made the Council to effectively assume the role of the Economic Regulator of the port, could change the perception that stakeholders have about the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

Desirous of a new beginning, it had pursued the dream of pushing the National Transport Commission (NTC) through. The plan was to get the National Assembly to pass the Bill, the the President to assent to it.

We recall that the NTC Bill had sought to establish the National Transport Commission as a regulator of all activities undertaken in Nigeria’s transport sector. The NTC was primed to operate as an independent regulator to promote multimodal transport and boost private sector participation in the provision of transport services. The Nigerian Shippers Council was being promoted to transmute to the Commission.

However, in 2018, former President Muhammadu Buhari declined to assent to the Bill, which the Senate had passed in March of the same year. The Presidency gave reasons for the decision.

Shippers’ Council Urges Stakeholders to Boost Inland Dry Port Growth

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), has urged stakeholders in the North-East to embrace and utilise inland dry port to boost trade.

The Executive Secretary of the Council, Dr Akutah Pius said this at a stakeholders’ interactive session in Bauchi on Tuesday,

He underscored the importance of inland dry ports in decongesting seaports and boosting Nigeria’s competitiveness on the global stage.

Akutah said that establishment of inland dry ports would enhance trade facilitation and logistics efficiency as well as ease the conduct of international trade.

“The establishment of Inland Dry Ports across Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe states, will support job creation and make international trade more accessible to shippers in the region.” he said.

Akutah commended Bauchi and Borno state governments for their commitment toward inland dry port development, and urged other states in the region to emulate them.

He reiterated commitment of the council to supporting dry port initiatives in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Tinubu administration.

According to Akutah, the council plays a key role in promoting fair trade practices, ensuring efficient port services, monitoring compliance and mediating in trade-related disputes.

Mr Nanbol Nanle, the Acting Zonal Director of the council in the region, advised stakeholders to engage with the council for information and support.

He said that periodic seminars and meetings would be organised to strengthen stakeholders’ engagement.

Also speaking, Mohammed Salis, Bauchi Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, said the inland dry port project had reached 70 per cent completion stage in the state.

He advocated strong regional integration and urged state governments to align with federal government’s efforts for sustainable development.

US Coast Guard to assess Nigeria’s adherence to ISPS Code

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The United States Coast Guard (USCG) has announced its intention to collaborate with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) to assess the extent of Nigeria’s ports compliance with the regulations outlined in the International Ship and Port Facility Security (ISPS) Code.

During a meeting between a delegation from NIMASA and a Commercial Vessel Compliance Deputy of the U.S. Coast Guard, Cdr. Juliet Hudson, at the USCG headquarters in Washington DC, Hudson conveyed the commitment to conduct biannual evaluations of Nigeria’s port compliance with the ISPS Code. These assessments will inform updates to the Port Advisory Security Portal in the White House, potentially leading to the removal of entry conditions. Hudson commended NIMASA for its efforts in implementing the ISPS Code and expressed appreciation for their dedication.

In a related development, NIMASA Director General Dr. Bashir Jamoh, hosting a delegation from the USCG led by Lt. Benjamin Montz, reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to prioritizing safety and security in Nigerian waters. Jamoh acknowledged the support received from the U.S. government in implementing the ISPS Code and emphasized the importance of extending similar assistance to other Gulf of Guinea countries, considering Nigeria’s significant role in the region’s maritime activities.

Jamoh urged the USCG to provide training for NIMASA personnel, highlighting the importance of a thorough gap analysis to identify training needs accurately. Lt. Benjamin Montz, leading the USCG delegation, outlined plans to support NIMASA through training initiatives and collaboration aimed at enhancing safety and security in Nigeria’s maritime sector, particularly regarding port operations.

NIMASA serves as the designated authority responsible for implementing the ISPS Code in Nigeria. Over time, the agency has worked closely with various stakeholders, including the United States Coast Guard, to fulfill its mandate of ensuring safe and secure waterways in the country.

Customs FOU Zone A seizes foreign rice and merchandise valued at N854.2 million

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The Customs Federal Operations Unit (FOU) Zone A, located in Ikeja, Lagos, announced on Tuesday that it confiscated rice and other prohibited items worth N854.2 million in January 2024.

Hussain Ejibunu, the Controller of the Zone, disclosed that the unit seized a total of 60 items, including foreign parboiled rice (equivalent to 6.5 trailer loads), 23,025 liters of PMS, 241 bales of used clothes, Indian hemp, cartons of foreign tomato paste, used tires, Haojuo motorcycles, cartons of slippers, and used vehicles.

Ejibunu explained that these goods were found to violate various sections of the Customs Act (2023), either because they had expired upon importation or they had not adhered to the statutory import guidelines.

Furthermore, he stated that ten suspects were apprehended in connection with some of the seized goods, resulting in the generation of N83.14 million in revenue through documentary checks and the issuance of demand notices on underpaid consignments.

Highlighting the detrimental effects of smuggling, Ejibunu emphasized its negative impact on the economy, environment, health, and security. He underscored the importance of collaboration and strong partnerships with other stakeholders to combat smuggling through the sharing of information and intelligence.

Ejibunu urged the public to understand the consequences of smuggling and to support enforcement and regulatory agencies in efforts to tackle this menace.

APM Terminals announces leadership changes in Europe

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The current managing director at APM Terminals Poti in Georgia, Julián Fernández, will become the managing director of APM Terminals Spanish Gateways from 1 April.

“I am very pleased to have Julián in his new role, where he will continue to be a crucial member of our leadership team in Europe while bringing his valuable experience and expertise from running a terminal in Georgia now in his new exciting role in Spain,” stated Igor van den Essen, regional managing director, Africa & Europe at APM Terminals.

This leadership change coincides with Carlos Arias de Molina’s appointment as CEO of APM Terminals Callao in Peru.

Julián Fernández will bring extensive senior leadership experience spanning Business Development, Finance, and General Management. He joined Maersk in 2008 as the CFO for Maersk Logistics (later Damco) in Brazil before transitioning to APM Terminals in 2011.

During his tenure, he served in various capacities, including head of Business Development for Latin America, where he played pivotal roles in significant port concession tenders and merger and acquisition projects. He later assumed the role of chief financial officer and deputy managing director for APM Terminals Poti in Georgia, eventually becoming its managing director in 2022.

“In his leadership roles, Julián has consistently demonstrated strategic and innovative ways of thinking and has ensured close partnerships with our people, stakeholders and communities. I am sure this will be greatly appreciated in his new market,” added Igor van den Essen.

Experts urge FG on Nigeria’s N3tn logistics sector

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Experts have underscored the urgent need for the Federal Government to focus on Nigeria’s overlooked logistics, courier, and transport sector valued at over N3tn.

They made this disclosure at the Courier and Logistics Management Institute conference and investiture which was held in Lagos, with the theme, “Logistics Solutions and National Infrastructure Development.”

The CLMI Executive Chairman, Prof. Simon Emeje, emphasized that the field of courier, logistics, and transport management had not received the attention it needed from the Nigerian government, as the sector remained relatively untapped on a global scale.

He said, “Any country that does not pay attention to logistics, courier and transport sector cannot survive. The government must not ignore this sector because it is the bedrock of any economy.”

“The logistics, courier, transport, and management industry command an average asset worth over N3tn, presenting substantial potential for job creation.”

Emeje emphasized that commerce was crippled without logistics.

He said, “Imagine a manufacturer that manufactures goods but has no logistics to distribute or deliver them to the end users.”

He urged the multifaceted contributions of logistics, from facilitating trade and enhancing the supply chain to creating jobs and propelling economic growth.

Despite its undeniable significance, the Nigerian logistics sector faces hindrances such as infrastructural deficits and weak government policies, preventing it from reaching its full potential.

Emeje’s call for immediate attention echoes the sector’s crucial role in sustaining and fostering economic prosperity.

‘’So, the take-home here is that the government should look into this industry, because it’s an important industry, one with the capability to create millions of employment opportunities for our youths.”

The former Minister of Communications, Barr. Adebayo Shittu, urged the institute to draft a comprehensive proposal for government adoption, offering assistance in facilitating engagement.

Emphasizing the sector’s significance, he, along with Prof. Emeje, called on the Federal Government to establish a dedicated ministry to foster an enabling environment for Courier and Logistics Management, drawing parallels to the recognition given to the entertainment industry.

Source: The Punch