Abuja: The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has announced that it successfully saved the Nigerian economy N6 billion in 2024 through effective resolution of industry-related conflicts. This achievement was confirmed by the Executive-Secretary of the NSC, Dr. Pius Akutah, in an interview conducted by the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Abuja.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Dr. Akutah emphasized the council’s commitment to protecting investments in the sector by ensuring strict compliance with industry standards. The NSC has established and enforced standards for services such as cargo clearance and trade-related dispute resolution to enhance the efficiency of the port sector.
The NSC’s compliance and enforcement units play a crucial role in maintaining these standards. The compliance unit monitors adherence, while the enforcement unit ensures that industry players abide by the established guidelines. Additionally, the NSC has a dedicated unit that handles complaints, which is empowered to address and resolve issues effectively.
Dr. Akutah highlighted that the NSC deals with numerous industry-related complaints daily, rolling out resolutions weekly. These complaints often involve significant sums of money that could otherwise be lost to the economy. He cited a specific instance from 2024 when a young entrepreneur from Kano almost lost $70,000 in a ginger export business transaction. The NSC intervened and resolved the issue within 24 hours, ensuring the businessman recovered his funds.
Furthermore, the NSC is actively working to prevent the imposition of illegal surcharges on Nigeria-bound cargos by shipping companies. Dr. Akutah mentioned a legal case where the court ruled in favor of Nigerian shippers, mandating certain companies to reimburse surcharges that were wrongfully imposed. The NSC is currently negotiating with shipping companies and terminal operators to facilitate these repayments.
The NSC remains vigilant against any attempts to impose illegal surcharges on Nigeria-bound cargos, with a commitment to enforcing its regulatory authority. Dr. Akutah assured that the council would take immediate action against any violations to protect the interests of Nigerian shippers.
