Why Shippers’ Council Act Needs Review, by Jime
NSC CEO
*Expresses fear on fate of NTC
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Emmanuel Jime, has stressed the need for a review of the Council’s enabling Act by the National Assembly (NASS).
Jime told newsmen that the review has become imperative to enable the ports economic regulator be able to carry out its statutory regulations better.
The NSC CEO explained that the review would address the current challenges of lack of power of enforcement as the ports economic regulator.
He also explained that the review will also address the issue of inadequate funding that the Council has been facing.
The Council’s source of funding is the payment of two percent of the seven percent Port Development Levy collected at the ports.
Jime said the two percent received from the port development levy was inadequate for the council to implement its mandate.
He disclosed that poor funding has made it difficult to carry out certain activities of the Council, including the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), adding that expanding the scope to other ports has not been possible because of necessary logistics.
Jime also pointed out his fears about the National Transport Commission (NTC) bill, saying there was doubt if the assent by President Muhammadu Buhari would still be possible.
According to him, NTC bill had been passed by the Senate three times but the President declined the assent twice.
When passed, it is expected that the NSC would transmute into the Commission with more powers to regulate the entire transport industry except the aviation industry.
He regretted that the OMNIBUS bill which provision covers some NSC functions that could strengthen the ports economic regulator was dropped in view of expectations that the NTC bill being processed would cover the Council when passed.
Jime pointed out that this development affects the Council in the aspect of sanctioning erring service providers.
He further explained that it was for this reason that the NSC had to enter into Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to cover areas where the Council suffers limitations.
The Executive Secretary, Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) Emmanuel Jime, has stressed the need for a review of the Council’s enabling Act by the National Assembly (NASS).
Jime told newsmen that the review has become imperative to enable the ports economic regulator be able to carry out its statutory regulations better.
The NSC CEO explained that the review would address the current challenges of lack of power of enforcement as the ports economic regulator.
He also explained that the review will also address the issue of inadequate funding that the Council has been facing.
The Council’s source of funding is the payment of two percent of the seven percent Port Development Levy collected at the ports.
Jime said the two percent received from the port development levy was inadequate for the council to implement its mandate.
He disclosed that poor funding has made it difficult to carry out certain activities of the Council, including the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT), adding that expanding the scope to other ports has not been possible because of necessary logistics.
Jime also pointed out his fears about the National Transport Commission (NTC) bill, saying there was doubt if the assent by President Muhammadu Buhari would still be possible.
According to him, NTC bill had been passed by the Senate three times but the President declined the assent twice.
When passed, it is expected that the NSC would transmute into the Commission with more powers to regulate the entire transport industry except the aviation industry.
He regretted that the OMNIBUS bill which provision covers some NSC functions that could strengthen the ports economic regulator was dropped in view of expectations that the NTC bill being processed would cover the Council when passed.
Jime pointed out that this development affects the Council in the aspect of sanctioning erring service providers.
He further explained that it was for this reason that the NSC had to enter into Memorandum of Understanding with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to cover areas where the Council suffers limitations.
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