By Amina Ojelabi
The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, has justified the Council’s recent tariff adjustments and regulatory actions, insisting they were guided by statutory provisions, due process, and broad stakeholder consultations rather than external pressure.
Speaking during an interview, Akutah explained that tariff regulation remains a core mandate of the Council under Sections 5 and 6 of the Port Economic Regulations 2025. He noted that the adjustments followed more than two years without a review, despite persistent demands from service providers citing rising operational costs and inflation.
According to him, operators had proposed increases ranging from 150 to 300 percent, but the Council intervened to moderate the figures in order to prevent adverse economic consequences. He stressed that tariff decisions in the maritime sector must balance sustainability with national economic interests, given that over 80 percent of Nigeria’s trade relies on maritime transport.
Akutah said the Council adopted a cautious approach, approving a structured adjustment framework of about 35 percent as a flexible band, allowing operators to implement increases within a 10 to 20 percent range based on operational realities. He warned that excessive or arbitrary charges could undermine competitiveness and disrupt trade.
On allegations of regulatory lapses and exploitative pricing by shipping companies, he dismissed such claims, stating that the Council’s actions were proactive and structured. He clarified that recent tensions in the sector were not systemic but largely tied to a dispute involving Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC), which he attributed to a breakdown in stakeholder negotiations.
He revealed that he personally intervened during a protest at MSC’s premises to restore calm and encourage dialogue, emphasizing that engagement remains the preferred mechanism for resolving industry disputes.
The NSC boss also cautioned against regulatory capture, warning that undue external interference could weaken transparency and distort the balance between protecting shippers and sustaining service providers.
On the delayed implementation of the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN), Akutah attributed the setback to ongoing legal disputes and legacy issues surrounding the project. He disclosed that the Council is working with the Ministry of Justice to resolve pending litigation to ensure a smooth and legally compliant rollout.
Despite the delay, he reaffirmed the importance of ICTN in enhancing cargo tracking, improving security, and boosting government revenue, stressing that all legal hurdles must be cleared to avoid further disruptions
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