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The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have commenced technical discussions on the transfer of inland dry port functions to NPERA, in line with the new regulatory framework for Nigeria’s maritime sector.
The engagement is aimed at ensuring a seamless transition, clearly defining institutional responsibilities and eliminating duplication of functions among agencies involved in the regulation and operation of inland dry ports.
Speaking during the meeting, NPERA Director-General/CEO, Dr. Akutah Pius, MON, said the directive by the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, should be understood as part of the Federal Government’s broader effort to strengthen the marine and blue economy.
Akutah stressed that the transition required the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders and could not be achieved by NPERA alone.
He said the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy would remain central to the process, while relevant mandates would be appropriately transferred to ensure smooth integration.
According to him, the Minister’s intervention while the NPERA Bill was still before the National Assembly helped resolve areas of disagreement among agencies and created a basis for stronger inter-agency collaboration.
Akutah said the meeting marked the commencement of the process for transferring relevant inland dry port duties to NPERA, consistent with its mandate as an economic regulator.
He also called for the effective operationalisation of the NPERA Act, particularly Section 51, to ensure that the responsibilities of the various stakeholders were properly aligned.
To drive the process, Akutah proposed a joint committee comprising NPERA, NPA, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He said inland dry ports were critical to extending the benefits of Nigeria’s maritime sector to the hinterland, while strengthening the country’s trade and logistics infrastructure.
Responding, NPA Managing Director, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the initiative as a welcome development and pledged the Authority’s operational and technical support throughout the transition.
Dantsoho said the process had begun with the right intention, assuring that NPA would provide updated information on the status of inland dry ports to support the technical deliberations.
He expressed optimism that continued engagement between the agencies would advance the development of inland dry ports and achieve the objectives of the transition.
Also, NPA Executive Director, Engr. Lekan Badmus, commended NPERA for initiating the collaboration, describing the meeting as an important step towards smooth integration.
Badmus said the agencies had entered the technical phase of the transition, with particular emphasis on preventing overlapping mandates.
Akutah, in his closing remarks, said the proposed joint committee would reconvene with the Minister to obtain further clarification on the transition and agree on the steps required for its effective implementation.
