At Last, Shippers’ Council Kicks-Off Regulatory Role

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council yesterday embarked on a wide consultation visits to major stakeholders in the Nigerian shipping sector, signaling the flag-off of its new role as the regulator of the port system.

The Executive Secretary of the Council; Barrister Hassan Bello led top echelon of the council on a courtesy visit to the secretariat of the Seaport and Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) at Apapa port, and the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) at Tin Can Island Port.

Addressing the terminal operators, Bello craved the cooperation and understanding of the concessionaires in carrying out its newly-assigned presidential mandate, even as he assured them of partnership of the council.

"The assignment given to us by government is a re-affirmation of what we have always been doing, trying to see that there is a balance in the industry, we want to ensure that the cost paid by port users is commensurate with services they get", he stated.

He assured that the council is devoid of bias and sentiment in carrying out its role, even though it will be very firm in its stand to ensure that the role of the shipping sector to the economy is felt.

"We are going to work with you and for you, we are going to make sure that the way things are done internationally in other countries is achieved in Nigeria, in doing this we cannot be biased, so everybody should accept the moderation we are going to make at the end of the day" he pointed out.

According to him, despite the concessioning of the port by government, there are still noticeable hitches which according to him, must be corrected. He reiterated that the quality of services to Nigerians must be affordable as it is done internationally.

He however assured that a committee will be set up to work with the concessionaires and the shipping companies.

Responding, chairman of STOAN, Princess Vicky Hastrup assured the Council of its support in carrying out its new role.

Hastrup pointed out that the appointment of Shippers’ Council as regulator is long overdue. She said that the position of a regulator was clearly spelt out in the concession agreement that was signed with the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE)

She lamented that the interest of the terminal operators is not being protected as assured in the concession agreement, even as she urged the Council to ensure that it always listen to both the shipper and concessionaire in trying to find lasting solutions to port challenges.

"In the concession agreement, the appointment of a regulatory body is there, it is just that in Nigeria things take time to happen because of the bureaucracies", she said.

"Up till now, the Ports and Harbour Bill is yet to be passed, if this had been passed, a regulatory body would have been constituted, the port has been concessioned for eight years and yet we don't have a regulator"

"The question is; who is protecting the interest of the terminal operators? Nobody, we are just there, we don't have mother, no father, we are like orphans"

"We are your baby now, so also the shipping trade is your baby, you are a mother with many babies now, and a good mother loves her children equally" she said.

Hastrup canvassed government’s support for the Council in terms of equipment and manpower in order to carry out its role effectively.

At a later visit to the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) also yesterday, the Council received the support of the shipping companies in ensuring that the cost of doing business at the both is at par with international best practices.

Receiving the Executive Secretary on behalf of the association, Mr. Ascanio Russo of Grimaldi Shipping assured that the shipping companies "will continue to work hand- in- hand with the council as a regulator, even as it has done before now".