By Joshua Yousouph
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has refuted allegations that it recently conducted a secret recruitment exercise, insisting that the employment process received all required government approvals and was carried out in accordance with established public service procedures.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Pius Akutah, revealed this during a media briefing with maritime editors and reporters in Lagos over the weekend.
The clarification comes amid speculation in some quarters that the Council had conducted recruitment without following due process, allegations the agency insists are false and unsupported by facts.
Addressing concerns over the recruitment exercise, the Executive Secretary said the decision to employ was part of a broader workforce renewal strategy aimed at addressing manpower gaps created by years of limited recruitment and preparing the organisation for its anticipated transition into the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA).
According to him, the Council had over the years recruited very few employees, resulting in workforce gaps that necessitated the introduction of a succession planning project. “The recruitment exercise is necessary for organisations to build their workforce and continue to function effectively. Over the years, the Council did not recruit much, and this created gaps within the organisation,” he said.
He explained that the succession planning initiative was designed to identify and prepare future leaders while also bringing in new employees to strengthen the institution ahead of its expected transformation into a full-fledged port economic regulatory agency.
The NSC boss disclosed that the recruitment process was conducted after obtaining all necessary approvals from relevant government agencies, including the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Character Commission and the Budget Office of the Federation.
“We engaged all the relevant government authorities and secured the necessary approvals before recruiting the new staff,” he said.
Responding to allegations that the exercise was conducted secretly, the Executive Secretary described such claims as unfounded rumours, stressing that the Council had nothing to hide. He revealed that some individuals had threatened to petition the organisation over the recruitment, but maintained that all records relating to the exercise were available for verification.
“Some people even threatened to write petitions against us, but we told them that there is nothing illegal about the process. They can come to the office, inspect the documents, interview records and all approvals connected to the exercise,” he stated.
The Council boss further invited members of the maritime media and other interested stakeholders to review the recruitment documents, saying the organisation remains committed to transparency and accountability.
He noted that all approvals, recruitment records and supporting documents are available for scrutiny by anyone seeking clarification on the exercise.
The NSC maintained that the exercise formed part of its long-term human capital development strategy and was conducted to ensure the organisation has the manpower required to effectively discharge its regulatory responsibilities and support the transition to the proposed Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA)
Meanwhile, the Executive Secretary also addressed concerns over uncertainties surrounding the NPERA Bill, which is currently awaiting Presidential assent. He noted that although the Council remains optimistic that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will sign the legislation within the constitutional timeframe, the impending winding down of the current National Assembly has created concerns about possible delays.
According to him, “the bill is before the President and we are hopeful that he will assent to it. However, if the National Assembly winds down before that happens, there is the possibility that the process could lapse and have to start all over again,” he said.
Despite the uncertainty, he maintained that the Council is confident the bill will eventually receive Presidential assent and establish NPERA as Nigeria’s independent port economic regulator. The proposed agency is expected to assume wider regulatory responsibilities in the maritime sector, including oversight of tariffs, service standards, competition and commercial conduct within the nation’s ports.
