How we saved Nigeria over N46bn in trade disputes, party charter agreements-Akutah
Maureen Aguta
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barrister Pius Akutah has given an account of his stewardship at the Council in the last one year.
During his recent interaction with the Media in Lagos, Akutah looked back to his first year in office with satisfaction at what stakeholders regarded as an impressive performance for a man who came fresh from the courtroom to the maritime industry.
Within the last one year, the council, under the leadership of Akutah and the management, has saved the country over N46 billion in trade disputes and party charters.
According to him, the council’s Regulatory Services Department has saved the nation over N40 billion through confirmations of fees and party charter agreements, while the Compliant Unit of the Council similarly saved the country the sum of N6 billion, which could have been lost to legal fees, orders to ground ships, and other activities in the sector.
” The economy could have been worse off if the money was not saved.
” This was made possible due to the App we developed about eight to nine months ago to automate our system that ensured settlement of disputes over freight charters, etc.
” The economic repercussions could have been huge if the money was lost.
” We not only saved money, we have improved the quality of trade through amicable resolution of conflicts through the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR).”
Akutah disclosed that the council, in the last one year, had worked assiduously to improve the productivity and efficiency of the sector through innovative services and reforms.
The council’s boss was particularly excited by the progress made so far on the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency bill of 2023 which he said, when passed into law, will empower the council to revolutionise the sector.
The bill has already been passed by the House of Representatives and before the Senate for concurrence before going to the President for final consent.
Akutah said the bill, when it becomes a law, will be a watershed in the operations of the council which he lamented is currently operating on Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act of 1981 as amended, which is old, limiting and has outlived its usefulness.
“The current bill, Nigerian Shippers’ Council Port Economic Regulatory Agency of 2023, is one of the major initiatives by Mr President to reposition the sector for economic growth”
Akutah said the bill, when passed into law, will enhance the capacity of the council to drive reformative programmes that will enhance service delivery in the sector.
Looking forward into the coming years, Akutah said the council is open to collaboration with agencies of government that is involved in trade facilitation.
He also said the council is looking into the manufacturing sector to stimulate growth and capacity in production that will stand the country in good stead to take advantage of the huge opportunities under the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA).
Akutah emphasized the importance of Nigeria capitalizing on the African Free Continental Trade Area (AfCFTA), which he noted had opened the African market to over 1.5 billion people with a combined market size of over $4 trillion.
According to him, the council will also work to enhance shipping services which he noted is crucial for economic growth.
Similarly, the council will work towards stimulating investments in the sector.
He acknowledged the contribution of APMT in this regard and encouraged other terminal operators to cue into this initiative.
However, Akutah expressed his appreciation to all stakeholders for their support in the last one year, while pleading for the continuation of such collaboration in the coming years to enhance the capacity and efficiency of the council.
He pledged to be accessible and receptive to suggestions, opinions and advice that will enhance the quality of the council’s services to the operators.