New NSC Act Aimed at Curtailing Illegal Port Charges, Reps Committee Assures Stakeholders
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY, ABUJA
By Chinonso Apeh
The new Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill which is now before the National Assembly is to check all sorts of illegalities in port charges and other activities in the maritime sector once passed into law, the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, told industry stakeholders on Monday.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, who spoke to newsmen after a Public Hearing on the repeal of the Nigerian Shippers Council Act to give way for the new bill said that so far what the Committee is doing is to collate memoranda from all stakeholders before presenting the report before the House of Representatives for a third reading.
He explained that what the Bill seeks is to repeal a law which prevents the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) from enforcing a presidential directive which deals with port economic regulation.
According to Dasuki, “We are still collating memoranda. You know the next process is to present the report to the House of Representatives for consideration. The public hearing today (Monday) showed that every stakeholder in the Nigerian Maritime industry wants an economic regulator for the industry. The era of impunity has to stop. There are no concerns from everybody. The stakeholders input were very useful and educative for us today.
“The bill is to repeal a law which is preventing the Nigerian Shippers Council from enforcing a presidential directive concerning economic regulation of the ports. The nation’s maritime industry is overdue for this, and we will see to its implementation.”
In his welcome address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said the new Bill is targeted at improving on economic growth, development as well as diversification that will strengthen the Marine and Blue Economy.
The amendment of the NSC Act, according to him, was to achieve effective and efficient regulation in the shipping industry and ensure an enabling environment for private sector participation.
In his words, “the amended bill encompasses critical provisions addressing several key areas essential for the effective functioning of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
“It details the structure and responsibilities of the management and staff, establishing a clear governance framework that defines roles and qualifications to ensure competent oversight.
“The bill lays out financial provisions, specifying guidelines for the allocation, management, and auditing of funds, which is crucial for maintaining financial integrity and providing the Council with the necessary resources to perform its duties.
“The bill also addresses offences and penalties, outlining specific non-compliance issues and their corresponding penalties.”
Similarly, the Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola said the new Bill if passed into law will improve the nation’s economy.
Oyetola who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oloruntola Olufemi, described the new bill as a welcome development.
The new Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill which is now before the National Assembly is to check all sorts of illegalities in port charges and other activities in the maritime sector once passed into law, the House of Representatives Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, told industry stakeholders on Monday.
Chairman of the Committee, Hon. Abdussamad Dasuki, who spoke to newsmen after a Public Hearing on the repeal of the Nigerian Shippers Council Act to give way for the new bill said that so far what the Committee is doing is to collate memoranda from all stakeholders before presenting the report before the House of Representatives for a third reading.
He explained that what the Bill seeks is to repeal a law which prevents the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) from enforcing a presidential directive which deals with port economic regulation.
According to Dasuki, “We are still collating memoranda. You know the next process is to present the report to the House of Representatives for consideration. The public hearing today (Monday) showed that every stakeholder in the Nigerian Maritime industry wants an economic regulator for the industry. The era of impunity has to stop. There are no concerns from everybody. The stakeholders input were very useful and educative for us today.
“The bill is to repeal a law which is preventing the Nigerian Shippers Council from enforcing a presidential directive concerning economic regulation of the ports. The nation’s maritime industry is overdue for this, and we will see to its implementation.”
In his welcome address, the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Abbas Tajudeen, said the new Bill is targeted at improving on economic growth, development as well as diversification that will strengthen the Marine and Blue Economy.
The amendment of the NSC Act, according to him, was to achieve effective and efficient regulation in the shipping industry and ensure an enabling environment for private sector participation.
In his words, “the amended bill encompasses critical provisions addressing several key areas essential for the effective functioning of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.
“It details the structure and responsibilities of the management and staff, establishing a clear governance framework that defines roles and qualifications to ensure competent oversight.
“The bill lays out financial provisions, specifying guidelines for the allocation, management, and auditing of funds, which is crucial for maintaining financial integrity and providing the Council with the necessary resources to perform its duties.
“The bill also addresses offences and penalties, outlining specific non-compliance issues and their corresponding penalties.”
Similarly, the Minister of Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola said the new Bill if passed into law will improve the nation’s economy.
Oyetola who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Oloruntola Olufemi, described the new bill as a welcome development.
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