The executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr. Akutah Pius, has applauded the reform-oriented leadership of President Bola Tinubu in the maritime sector.
Speaking during the Management System Retreat held in Lagos on Wednesday, the Shippers’ Council boss also appreciated the leadership of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, stating that the Renewed Hope Agenda of the federal government has injected a new sense of clarity and urgency into the governance of Nigeria’s strategic sectors.
Akutah also lamented the current cargo dwell time and vessel turnaround time at Nigerian seaports, stating that the statistics for both vessel turnaround time and cargo dwell time remain unacceptable.
He said, “Let me begin by recognising and commending the bold and reform-oriented leadership of President Tinubu, whose Renewed Hope Agenda has injected a new sense of clarity and urgency into the governance of our nation’s strategic sectors. Under Mr. President’s direction, the federal government has made an unambiguous statement through the creation of the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy – entrusted with transforming Nigeria’s vast ocean economy into a catalyst for diversification, growth, and sustainability.”
“We are equally privileged to be under the astute leadership of the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, whose visionary approach, steady guidance, and tireless commitment have galvanised key institutions within the sector, including our own Council, to embrace innovation, reform, and measurable impact. We are in a new era. NSC can no longer afford to operate as a process-heavy, paper-driven bureaucracy. We must now define our success not by our activities, but by our outcomes, not by intentions, but by results.”
“The federal government, through its National Policy on Marine and Blue Economy, has placed performance at the centre of national development. It is a call for institutions like ours to show leadership in facilitating trade, improving port efficiency, strengthening inter-agency coordination, accelerating port infrastructure delivery, enhancing stakeholder confidence, and mainstreaming sustainability across the logistics value chain.
“The Strategic Plan (2025–2029) developed by the Council and the retreat that convenes us here today reflect our response to that call. I wish to now outline our strategic imperatives and issue clear policy directives to guide implementation over the next five years.”
“The Council must serve as both a policy anchor and delivery vehicle in support of the Ministry’s goals. Our mandates align with the policy’s strategic thrusts, including trade logistics, cargo management, and port infrastructure development.
“All departments — particularly Legal Services, Strategic Planning, & Research, Regulatory Services, Consumer Affairs, Inland Transport Services, and Zonal Coordinators, are to align annual workplans with relevant components of the national policy. Quarterly reports evidencing this alignment shall henceforth be submitted to the ES/CEO’s Office and transmitted to the Ministry.
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