THE immediate past Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Captain Adamu Biu has said that the Council’s recent action to review port charges downwards was in the interest of the national economy.

In an exclusive chat with Vanguard, Biu said that the Council was doing everything possible to reduce inflation in the country.

He added that the cost of doing business in the nation’s port has added to the high rate of inflation in the country.

The former ship Captain explained that terminal operators need to be regulated adding that their being aversive to being regulated is the reason behind the current face off between both parties.

Explaining further, the action of these terminal operators will continue to undermine the nation’s economic wellbeing if they are checkmated.

Biu stated the Nigerian Shippers’ Council was in the best position to regulate the activities of operators because it has no interest in the port.

He also noted that some stakeholders are working against Shippers’ Council effort at regulating operations at the ports.

He called on stakeholders to join hands with the Council to reduce port charges and attract more foreign investments.

“In as much as we want to relate with foreigners, they must subject themselves to our laws, we must also create a conducive environment for them to operate if the benefits of the port concession arrangement must be achieved.

“Most of these terminal operators are foreigners or foreigners being represented by their Nigerian partners and they must subject themselves to the laws of the country.

“What the Council is trying to do is to reduce the rate of inflation in our country by reducing the cost of doing business in our ports

“Shippers’ Council is a neutral body, it has no interest in the port, it is the most appropriate agency to regulate operators” he added.

The former Executive Secretary disclosed that the appointment of an economic regulator was contained in the concession agreement with concessionaires.

He also called on the current management of the Council to ensure that its staff are trained with a view to being abreast with its current status as economic regulators.