NTC Bill Under Shippers’ Council Is In Good Hands, Says Institute Of Customs Brokers

Even though President Muhammadu Buhari in December 2018 declined assent to the National Transport Commission Bill, the Nigerian Institute of Freight Forwarders and Customs Brokers (NIFFCB) has urged the President to sign the Bill into law, saying that the NTC  Bill is in good hands under the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.

President of NIFFCB, Dr Zebulon Ikokide told Shipping Position Daily  last week that the maritime sector is fully prepared for the NTC Bill. He noted that the Bill when passed into law would engender necessary transformation in the transportation sector.

"The maritime industry is fully prepared for NTC Bill. Since the Bill will be under the supervision of NSC and taking into consideration the NSC work so far, the Bill will be in a good hand for the benefit of the industry", he said.

The NTC Bill specifically seeks to transmute the Shippers Council to the new organisation. But, in refusing assent to the Bill, President Buhari had said that some sections of the National Transport Commission Bill contained safety regulations that would duplicate the functions of existing transport agencies.

He explained that, “Safety regulatory provisions enshrined in some sections of the bill which are technical in nature fall within the purview of central legislation implemented by agencies like (Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Nigeria Ports Authority (NPA) and therefore should be expunged from the bill”

He added that: “Two, the percentage of the amount to be retained by the agency from royalties collected under section 19 (2)(d) should be reduced from 10 to five per cent.

“Section 12 (9)(2)(d) stipulates that a portion of the proceeds from royalties collected by the authority empowered to collect royalties from transport service providers should not exceed 10 per cent which is collected by service providers and concessionaires.

“Three, section 19 (2)(f) which stipulates charge of three per cent freight tariff stabilisation fee on all imports and exports out of Nigeria including wet and dry cargoes should be amended and reduced from three per cent to one per cent.

“This is what is currently contained in the Nigerian Shippers Council legislation,” he said.