Seeks Cooperation of Stakeholders On Councils Regulatory Mandate

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian shippers’ Council, NSC,  Barrister Pius Akutah Ukeyima has reiterated that the focus of the Council under his wash is not a about tariff hike or reduction.

“Our focus as directed by the honorable minister of marine and blue economy, Adeboyega Oyetola is not on tariff hike or reduction but to ensure port efficiency,  attract investments and create the enabling environment for business to thrive because when businesses grow and expand more jobs are created for citizens and all concerned are happy” Akutah said

Speaking when he paid a working visit to ENL consortium and the APM terminals in Lagos,  the ES and chief Executive Officer of the Council noted that the time has come for concessionaires and regulators to work closely together in other to actualize the vision of the Federal Government in creating the ministry of marine and blue economy.

Welcoming the ES,  the chairman and CEO of the ENL group, Princess Victoria Ayodele Haastrup and her management team who received Akutah accompanied by management staff of the Council expressed optimism and pledged support of the Sea Port  Terminals Operators Association of Nigeria, STOAN, of which she is President, to actively work with the Council to achieve its regulatory mandate.

According to Haastrup,  “It is the first time any ES is visiting us at our corporate office and we are very delighted to welcome the him and his team. It shows that this ES is different.  It also indicate his preparedness to listen to us, hear our side of the story and be better inform and guided in taking decisions. I will take the message to members of STAON and I can assure the Council that it has the support of our members”

Addressing the ENL Consortium, (operators of Terminals C and D, inside the Apapa Port Complex in Lagos) of government resolved to ensure returns on investments, the ES/CEO said “Government is committed to creating the enabling environment for all investors in the economy. “Government has also identified the Marine and blue economy as a game changer and a strategic diversification option from our national dependence on oil”

“The minister is very passionate and enthusiastic to finding a comprehensive solution to the challenges we face. As you are aware, he has had engagements with stakeholders in Lagos and Abuja. He is working with consultants and heads of agencies under the ministry to resolve all the issues identified. Very soon he will unfold his action plan for all operators and players in the sector”

At the APM Terminal, the ES and his entourage was accorded an executive reception by Steen Kludsen, the terminal manager and his management team.

A slide projected presentation of APMT operations in terms of equipment,  training programs and how it relates with other port users was shown to the ES who was also taken on a guided tour of administrative offices and operational areas of the terminal.

The visit was rounded off with a tour of cargo examination and quay side operational areas of the terminal.