Dispute Intervention: We Saved N348.8m for Stakeholders in Q1, Says Shippers Council Boss
Dr. Akutah
By Francis Ugwoke
The Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, has disclosed that the ports regulatory agency has been able to save as much as N348.8million for shipping industry stakeholders through dispute intervention in the first quarter of this year.
Akutah who was the guest lecturer on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary and Award celebration by Maritime Watch Newspaper recently said the council’s intervention covered the whole country.
According to him, the ports economic regulator received 32 complaints, resolved 19, closed one case, and retained 12 for more investigation during the quarter.
Speaking on the theme “Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Costs in Nigerian Port through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Regulatory Framework”, Akutah who was represented on the occasion by Ms Adaora Nwonu, Deputy Director, Standard Services Division, said this intervention brought a lot of relief to affected stakeholders.
He said, “Our interventions helped users recover or avoid losses worth N348.81 million. shipping companies and agents attracted 22 complaints, Container deposit refunds led with five complaints, while arbitrary charges followed with four.”
He added that between January and June 24 alone, the Council saved more than ₦31.1 bn for port users in the area of demurrage automation.
He said that so far operational performance has improved by over 400% compared to manual confirmation processes by the ports economic regulator.
Akutah said that one of the greatest strengths of the NSC interventions was that they have been measurable, evidence-based and outcome-driven.
He said, “the initiative has significantly reduced excessive and unverifiable charges, improved transparency, minimized delays, and streamlined documentation processes.”
The NSC CEO also added that the Council had saved $12.35 million from Port Process Reforms through the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) as well as the activities of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT).
Akutah maintained that the Council as the ports economic regulator is strong willed to deliver on its statutory obligations by ensuring checks on charges and efficiency in ports operation.
He said, “port efficiency is not merely a maritime issue; it is fundamentally an economic issue. Every delay encountered at the port carries financial implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, transporters, and ultimately the Nigerian consumers”.
The Executive Secretary/CEO of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Dr. Pius Akutah, has disclosed that the ports regulatory agency has been able to save as much as N348.8million for shipping industry stakeholders through dispute intervention in the first quarter of this year.
Akutah who was the guest lecturer on the occasion of the 25th Anniversary and Award celebration by Maritime Watch Newspaper recently said the council’s intervention covered the whole country.
According to him, the ports economic regulator received 32 complaints, resolved 19, closed one case, and retained 12 for more investigation during the quarter.
Speaking on the theme “Enhancing Efficiency and Reducing Costs in Nigerian Port through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Regulatory Framework”, Akutah who was represented on the occasion by Ms Adaora Nwonu, Deputy Director, Standard Services Division, said this intervention brought a lot of relief to affected stakeholders.
He said, “Our interventions helped users recover or avoid losses worth N348.81 million. shipping companies and agents attracted 22 complaints, Container deposit refunds led with five complaints, while arbitrary charges followed with four.”
He added that between January and June 24 alone, the Council saved more than ₦31.1 bn for port users in the area of demurrage automation.
He said that so far operational performance has improved by over 400% compared to manual confirmation processes by the ports economic regulator.
Akutah said that one of the greatest strengths of the NSC interventions was that they have been measurable, evidence-based and outcome-driven.
He said, “the initiative has significantly reduced excessive and unverifiable charges, improved transparency, minimized delays, and streamlined documentation processes.”
The NSC CEO also added that the Council had saved $12.35 million from Port Process Reforms through the implementation of the Nigerian Port Process Manual (NPPM) as well as the activities of the Port Standing Task Team (PSTT).
Akutah maintained that the Council as the ports economic regulator is strong willed to deliver on its statutory obligations by ensuring checks on charges and efficiency in ports operation.
He said, “port efficiency is not merely a maritime issue; it is fundamentally an economic issue. Every delay encountered at the port carries financial implications for importers, exporters, manufacturers, transporters, and ultimately the Nigerian consumers”.
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