Mr. Hassan Bello, Executive Secretary/CEO, Nigerian Shippers’ Council

Litigations by some operators in Nigeria’s maritime industry and lack of recourse to Alternative Dispute Resolution, ADR, mechanisms which remain unexploited and grossly underutilized are stalling maritime development and regulatory efforts which should enhance sea port operations and economic growth.

This was disclosed by the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. M

Bello, at a public forum in Lagos.

The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria, STOAN, and some shipping lines operating in Nigeria have sued the NSC over restriction of increase in progressive storage charges and reversal. This, the Council disclosed, has stalled progress that should have by now impacted sea port operations positively.

Bello stated that the court cases have taken the shine off the successes that should have been achieved by the Council as port economic regulator.

According to Hassan Bello “The concessionaires continue to resist regulations vehemently and they forget that regulations is on their side. For instance, the cases we have with some terminal operators and shipping firms have taken the shine off the regulation we have and it has brought a lot of delay in areas we would have gone far by now because there is always this suspicious that you can’t look at me, you can’t audit me.”

The port economic regulator however told the terminal operators to subject themselves to regulations, rules and guidelines.

“They have to subject themselves to the laws of the country in which they are operating. It is the norm all over the world, Nigeria cannot be different. In line with the reforms and in discharge of our duties as port Economic Regulator, I have always told the various operators to get ready.  I have told freight forwarders that it is important that they consolidate, I have also told road haulage service providers that they should come together and consolidate; they need to have a fleet”.

Bello disclosed that the Council has had several meeting with operators and service providers at different occasions on the need to synergize, come together and work together.

In his words “I have spoken to other segments and they have agreed. As far as this sector is concerned it has to be placed in its right perspective, the maritime industry must make expected contributions to the economic development of Nigeria and if we are to do that, all of us must work together and collaborate for national development,” Bello emphasized.