The Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill has been passed by the House of Representatives, according to Barrister Pius Akutah, Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC).
Akutah made the announcement while declaring open the 2024 Operational Retreat for middle management officers of the agency in Lagos on Friday.
The Bill, which has now been sent to the Senate for reading is aimed at enhancing the regulatory framework of the shipping and port industry in Nigeria.
Akutah said, “Just last week, the House of Representatives passed our bill, the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency Bill.
“That’s a big step in the right direction. And just this last Tuesday, the Senate was poised to pass the bill so that it begins to prepare for Presidential Assent. We were there at the National Assembly up until 11pm, but because of the supplementary budget, that line on the other paper of the Senate was not taken.
“The Senate has done the first reading of the Bill, and what’s left is for them to pass the bill. But the National Assembly has gone on recess. We believe that as soon as they are back from recess, that Bill will be passed into law.
“I want to bring you the greetings of the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, who has been very supportive to us as a Council. The Minister is driving the Blue economy ministry, writing up the policy for this sector, and he is keen to see that it kicks off to achieve the desire of Mr. President that this sector contributes to the national GDP.
“The Nigerian Shippers Council, I want to let you know, is not just a factor in that regard, but is a key factor in moving the economy of this country forward through this sector that we have here.
“The role that we are playing as economic regulators, once we have the law in place, which gives us the capacity to not only bark but bite, I believe that the sector will be better for it. And we are counting on all of you as well here, as the engine room of this agency.”
