…NSC, NPCC strengthen partnership for ADR, port efficiency
The Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (NPCC) has tipped the nation’s seaports to enjoy higher Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and enhanced security as Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) revisits the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN) regime.
NPCC Chairman, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, made this remark when he led NPCC executives on a courtesy visit to the Executive Secretary/ Chief Executive of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, MON, in Apapa, Lagos, on Friday.
Sunmola commended the Executive Secretary for the prompt and efficient drive towards ensuring the attainment of the legal status of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the port economic regulator, and his revisiting the importance of the Cargo Tracking Note (CTN), aimed to ease the process of doing business in the nation’s seaports.
Both organizations also agreed on the need to boost Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) efforts in the port trade sector, to support investors’ confidence and improve the private-sector investments in shipping and port business.
The NPCC Chairman, Sunmola, also assured the Shippers’ Council boss of a firm commitment to the growth of Nigeria’s port sector, advocating for safe and sustainable operations, enhancing efficiency and supporting a regulatory environment that benefits all stakeholders.
His words: “with our foundation rooted in a commitment to best practices, our team is equipped with industry experts and government representatives who collectively shape a progressive vision for Nigeria’s maritime future.
“Our core mandate – Advocacy, Advisory, Arbitration, and Consulting- empower us to support collaboration among diverse parties within the industry. Notably, we are open to providing mediation services as a form of arbitration to help resolve any challenges or disagreements that the Shippers’ Council may encounter with other stakeholders. We believe that neutral and constructive mediation can facilitate productive dialogue, reduce conflicts, and lead to outcomes beneficial to the entire industry.”
Recognising the NPCC for its crucial role in the Nigerian port sector and the nation’s economy, the Shippers’ Council boss said: “I can guarantee that if we work together with you, a lot of things can be resolved; like the aspect of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), which is an area of great interest to us, particularly because Mr. President is looking at building the economy from this sector.
“So, we need not to bore the sector with a lot of litigation that can tie down investments and leave negative impact on the economy. We want what can promote the economy as quickly as possible. So, ADR – resolving maritime disputes is the sure way to go. We believe that with your expertise and your commitment and array of experts working with you we can partner in that regard.”
Akutah highlighted how the Council’s engagement in dispute resolution through its in-house mechanisms helped save the country of over six billion naira, thus far in 2024, and added that staff would be further trained in that regard.
“We have a very strong conflict resolution unit and we intend to put them through mainstream trainings that would empower them the more. We are looking forward at the advent of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreement, we know that maritime logistics will go higher and a lot of disputes would come out of it. So, we have to prepare ourselves ahead of time to be able to resolve those issues. We will like to strengthen our partnership with you, for those initiatives,” Akutah said.
He thanked the NPCC for paying attention to the activities of Shippers’ Council and offering industry advice, which he said would always be embraced.
The NSC boss also expressed confidence of the Council’s soon-to-be legally backed status as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator, considering the progress already achieved at the National Assembly.
His words: “As a matter of fact, the House of Representatives has passed the Bill, which is now with the Senate, and it has considered it. What is remaining now is to pass it. Now that they are back from recess, we are hoping that in the coming week or two, they should be able to pass the Bill.”
Vice- chairperson of the NPCC, the Learned Silk, Jean Chiazor- Anishere, SAN; Captain Ihenacho Ebubeogu, an active member of NPCC who is also representing the NPCC as the Chairman of Program at NIMAREX; and Dr. Hope Orivri – Media Consultant to the NPCC; accompanied the Chairman on the visit.
