NIPERA Will Regulate Maritime Sector, Protect Investments – Dr Akutah

The executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Dr Pius Akutah, has said that the Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC) transitioning to the Nigeria Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NIPERA) would ensure regulation of the sector effectively, protect foreign and local investments and drive professionalism while locking out bad actors.

He disclosed this after being conferred with the Media Supporter Award at the 70th anniversary celebration event of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), in Abuja, over the weekend.

Akutah expressed appreciation for being recognised for such an award and said the award was a strong endorsement from one of the country’s most critical and respected professional bodies, the NUJ.

He said, “Being honoured by the NUJ means a lot to me. This union has lasted over 70 years, training and nurturing media professionals who hold leaders accountable. So, for them to recognise me today means expectations are high and it’s a challenge I embrace.”

Akutah further stated that once the NIPERA bill is signed into law, it will empower the new agency to regulate the sector effectively, protect foreign and local investments and drive professionalism.

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“In the next five years, we expect to see a fully grounded regulatory agency that will overhaul the port economy. We are talking about job creation, automation of port systems, increased investor confidence, and a significant boost to national revenue,”he said.Speaking on the sector’s challenges, Akutah identified the outdated legal framework under which the Nigerian Shippers Council operated, especially since it was designated as the Port Economic Regulator through a presidential directive.

He said that to address this, the council pushed for a new legal regime, which resulted in the drafting of a bill to establish the Nigerian Port Economic Regulatory Agency.

He said, “With support from the minister, we now have a bill that has passed through both chambers of the National Assembly and is awaiting presidential assent. Once signed, this law will empower the new agency to regulate the sector effectively, protect foreign and local investments, and drive professionalism while locking out bad actors.”