By Godwin Oritse

Following the appointment of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, by the Federal Government as economic regulator for the port industry, the Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, is now accountable to the Council.

President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Licensed Agents, NCMDLCA, Mr. Lucky Amiwero stated this in an exclusive interview. He said that the presence of a regulator will keep both shipping firms and terminal operators in check.

The logistics expert also said that Nigerian Ports Authority in the present dispensation is a service provider like the terminal operators who must also be regulated.

He stated that the issue of marine services, provision of power and port access roads amongst other were meant to be provided by NPA.

Amiwero explained that Nigeria as a maritime nation got it wrong when it concessioned its terminals without appointing a regulating agency, adding that the absence of a port regulator was the reason Nigerian ports remain the most expensive in the world.

He said “What Nigeria has done is wrong, you cannot concession your port without an economic regulator”

“Port regulators all over the world are to regulate the port industries for the nation’s economic interest.

“There should be nothing like technical regulator in the concession agreement, and if it is there, then that agreement needs to be reviewed because it is wrong to have technical regulator when there is a port or economic regulator”.

“While the Shippers’ Council is to determine the right pricing for services provided by terminal operators and shipping companies, NPA is meant to ensure that there are fairway buoys, that the channels are well maintained for vessels to sail in and out without running aground”.

He believes that the presence Nigerian Shippers’ Council as port regulator will reduce or completely eliminate the manipulative tendencies of some shipping firms and terminal operators in fleecing Nigerian importers of billions of Naira.

“It is left to Shippers’ Council to look at the criteria the terminal operators and shipping firms used in arriving at the current charges they collect.

Amiwero further explained that Port regulators of other countries like that of Nigeria are supposed to exercise economic regulation of the ports system in line with government’s strategic objectives and monitor the activities of the port authority to ensure that it performs its function in accordance with the law.