Shippers’ Council Under Akutah Hasn’t Compromised Ports Transformation, Staff Welfare— Group
Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SERE) has backed ports transformation and reforms of the shipping landscape under the Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Akutah Ukeyima.
SERE is a group comprising freight forwarders and researchers.
The group’s Head of Operations, Dr. Eugene Nweke, said in an interview that the Shippers’ Council boss is championing a transformation of the country’s maritime landscape.
Nweke told Shipping Day Live that he has introduced positive changes to the maritime and ports industry since he assumed office.
Nweke said Akutah, “Is a sound intellectual, fast learner and has been doing a great job as the Executive Secretary/CEO of the Nigeria Shippers Council – NSC, and now with the metamorphosis to the Nigeria Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency – NSPERA if passed into law, his leadership is expected to bring even more positive changes to the maritime and ports industry.
“Since assuming office, he has been actively promoting and ensuring the efficiency of ports, checking arbitrary charges, and promoting trade facilitation. He has also been engaging stakeholders to improve the industry’s operations.
“With his committed management team and staff, they have promoted and canvassed for the efficiency of ports, checked arbitrary charges, and promoted trade facilitation within the Council’s capacity.”
He admitted that the Council has made significant recoveries on behalf of shippers.
The group’s boss said the compliance unit under his leadership has been reported to have recovered hundreds of millions of naira for shippers.
The SERE boss said, “His management team and staff have made constant interventions on behalf of shippers across the board, and this development is noteworthy. He has been a strong advocate for the rights of shippers and has worked tirelessly to ensure that they receive fair treatment from shipping companies, terminal operators, and other service providers.
“Whether it’s through negotiations, mediation, or regulatory actions, Akutah in particular has consistently demonstrated his dedication to promoting the welfare of shippers to the best of his abilities and most importantly his interactions with them.
“One of his notable achievements is the implementation of the Enterprise Content Management System (ECMS), which has helped to drive the digitalization and automation of the NSC’s operations. He has also been a strong proponent of a strong legal framework for the Shippers’ Council as the nation’s Port Economic Regulator, which will enhance the efficiency and competitiveness of the nation’s ports.”
According to him, the new NSC Bill signed into law will open the ports industry to more transformation.
He said, “Under his leadership, the NSC has also made significant progress in canvassing for and promoting port efficiency, trade facilitation, and regional maritime hub development. Against all odds, the NSC has worked closely with terminal operators to ensure that they have the necessary equipment to facilitate trade and improve the overall efficiency of the ports. And their commitment to promoting the interests of shippers and other stakeholders in the maritime industry is truly commendable.
“The NSC has as ever before sustained the tradition of consultative engagement with industry operators, by regularly reaching out to stakeholders, including shipping companies, terminal operators, freight forwarders and other service providers, to cross fertilize ideas, promote trade facilitation and improve the industry’s operations.
“By professional projection, the new agency is expected to help the industry perform better by providing a more effective regulatory framework, promoting competition, and ensuring that the interests of shippers and other stakeholders are protected.”
Shippers’ Council Under Akutah Hasn’t Compromised Ports Transformation, Staff Welfare— Group is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
