CSOs drum support for shippers council regulatory bill

A body of 45 civil society groups under the aegis of the Coalition of Civil Society Groups in Nigeria for the Promotion of Accountability and Transparency in Governance has thrown its weight behind the proposed Nigeria Shippers Council Regulatory Agency.

Recall that a Bill for an Act to repeal the Nigeria Shippers’ Council Act and enact the Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill and Related Matter passed a second reading in the House of Representatives in March 2024.

Consequently, the House Committee on Shipping Services and Related Matters, on Monday, May 27, 2024, held a one-day hearing to gauge public feedback and input on repealing the Nigerian Shippers Council Act (Cap N133, LFN 2004) as a prelude to enacting the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill.

The bill aims to empower the Nigerian Shippers Council to effectively regulate the shipping industry, protect the interests of shippers, and promote economic growth.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, a spokesman for the group, Nwogu Ndubisi, commended the Committee on Shipping Services for its inclusivity, giving stakeholders the platform to make inputs to the bill at a public hearing.

According to him, the proposed legislation will bring about “The much-needed transparency, accountability, and efficiency to the sector while strengthening the Shippers Council’s regulatory powers, reducing costs, increasing competition, and improving service delivery.”

He said, “Our coalition is pleased to note that 99 per cent of the opinions expressed at the public hearing were in favour of the Bill as presented.

“We also note that a few amendments were suggested, which the House Committee on Shipping Services, ably led by Abdulsamad Dansuki, has promised to take notice of. Such an accommodating disposition is what the electorate expects of our lawmakers, and we look forward to the House sustaining this trend.

“We want to specifically commend the Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Tajudeen Abbas for the speedy consideration of the bill by the People’s House under his leadership.”

The group also called on the parliament to push on until the bill is passed by the parliament given what it called “The significance of the bill and the positive impact it would have on the lives of Nigerian citizens.”

He continued, “We plead with Senate President, Godswill Akpabio that Nigerians are eager to see the Senate replicate the pace the House has adopted in treating the bill.

“We are of the view that such accelerated handling of the Shipping Council Regulatory Bill aligns with the Senate President’s commitment to tackle inflation, economic hardship, and difficulties that Nigerians are facing. We look forward to commending the Senate for the manner it will treat the bill when it comes to the Red Chamber for concurrence.

“Our final appeal goes to the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, for his speedy assent when the bill is transmitted to the Presidency. With the passion he has shown for rebooting Nigeria’s economy to its optimum, we do not doubt that Mr President will treat the Shipping Council Regulatory Bill with the same urgency with which the Students Loan Bill was treated to become an Act.

“We also laud the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola for getting it right with the Shipping Council Regulatory Bill. The support he has mobilised so far shows his level of transparency and zeal to regulate the maritime economy.”