Barely a week after it was inaugurated in Abuja, the new governing board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has vowed to work assiduously to give the council the necessary political and legal backing it desires in order to be able to assume its role as the commercial regulator of the port.
The board has equally assured that during its tenure, it will work hard to ensure that the interests of Nigerian shippers are well protected through the Shippers’ Council.
Barely a week after it was inaugurated in Abuja, the new governing board of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has vowed to work assiduously to give the council the necessary political and legal backing it desires in order to be able to assume its role as the commercial regulator of the port.
The board has equally assured that during its tenure, it will work hard to ensure that the interests of Nigerian shippers are well protected through the Shippers’ Council.
Speaking at an inaugural meeting with the management of the council in Lagos yesterday, Chairman of the board, Lt. Gen. Salisu Ibrahim (rtd) assured that the board is going to explore all possible means to ensure that the council is taken to a higher level within the shortest possible time.
“The board is here to tackle all the problems bothering the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, to this extent, we shall explore all avenues and possibilities to solve most of the problems if not all on behalf of the council” he assured.
Also stressing the support of the board, another member of the board, Hon Paul Anikwe pointed out that though the council has lacked the required powers through its laws to ensure strict compliance by terminal operators and shipping companies, the board is ready to give it the teeth to bite.
“Under conceptive political engagement, we will get the National Assembly pass the required legislations to give the council the teeth so that it can bite” he said.
The board chairman further reiterated that this is one of the first assignments before the board and that it will be looked into as soon as possible.
While speaking earlier, Executive Secretary of the Shippers’ Council, Barrister Hassan Bello had said that the appointment of the board of the council is very timely and most welcomed.
He explained that the role of the council involves the interface between the various modes of transportation and international trade among others and that it has over the years been able to discharge its functions commendably in this regard, despite the weakness of its enabling Act.
Bello pointed out that he council has been constrained to merely play an advisory role in the maritime industry even as he pointed out that the Act establishing the council has been passed since 1974 and that it is due for review.
“The council needs full powers to be more effective in the discharge of its critical role in the industry”. “The appointment of the board is extremely timely and it is hoped that the board will apply its wisdom and experience to ensure a successful restructuring of the legal and institutional framework of the Council” Bello said.
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