Stakeholders in the nation’s maritime industry have again urged the new port regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to use its new role in providing a sustainable port pricing that will boost port operations and make Nigeria ports compete internationally.
This was disclosed at a one-day event tagged “Achieving fair and equitable port pricing system in Nigeria” organized by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in Lagos.
The stakeholders comprising the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA), Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS), Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), SIFAX Group, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), and Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) amongst others graced the occasion.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Nigerian Ship Owners (NISA), Chief Isaac Jolapamo commended the Federal Government for giving the Council the statutory responsibility to regulate the port.
“It is only in Nigeria that ships are brought to without money as the ship owner to settle dues, so that is why when the Council was given the responsibility many kicked against it for status -quo to remain. We must have a starting point because it is a good thing the government has started, we must allow people who are involve (ship owners) to do things as it is done in developed countries”, He said.
The Executive Director, Admin and human resources of SIFAX GROUP, Dr. Phil Ofulue, said no terminal operators can single handedly fix rate without involving the relevant stakeholders.
He advised the council to ensure an effective pricing system “We cannot take bank loan with exorbitant interest rate and charge peanuts, the stakeholders have their roles likewise the government, the regulator should ensure a win – win situation for all”, He said.
However, President of the Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS), Rev. Jonathan Nicol stressed on the need for a continuity of the programme since it’s an eye opener for the council.
In his words, “The shippers believe that this summit has opened up for the economic regulator (Nigerian Shippers’ Council to commence its duties effectively. It is not going to be easy, you need to step on toes, please do so with the factory boots for posterity sake”, He advised.
Meanwhile, in his presentation the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Barrister Hassan Bello represented by the Chief Operations Officer, Compliance and Monitoring Mrs. Celine Ifeora said the ports plays a crucial role in the economy of any country, hence it must be provided with utmost attention that would ensure smooth movement of cargoes.
He stressed that a right pricing would lead to prosperity and growth of the ports, “A wrong pricing can guide port to inefficiency or even extinction; also a high pricing could deprive a port of high patronage of vessel and cargo.
Wrong prices will reduce demand for cargo services and when the demand for port services is reduced equipment at the ports will be underutilized even with monopoly high port prices will hurt person the port is suppose to serve,” he said.
The shippers’ council boss said that when the right prices is fixed, it would instill orderliness and curb different sort of abuses.
“Low port prices could bring life into a port but congestion may be the other of the day, competitors will grumble because there will be unfair competition and this calls for economic regulator to fix the right one
He further said that an efficient ports pricing would ensure that port facilities are used in the most efficient manner which would lead to improved asset utilization and cushioned Capital flight.