Lawmakers have thrown their weight behind the Nigerian Shippers’ Council in its push for a tariff adjustment for shipping companies, signalling a shift towards resolving long-standing tensions in the maritime sector while urging fresh stakeholder consultations to smooth the process.
He said the Committee’s intervention was aimed at addressing mounting concerns across the industry, particularly around pricing, while acknowledging the Council’s efforts so far. Dasuki confirmed that lawmakers and industry players are aligned on the need for a slight upward review of charges, adding that the Executive Secretary of the Council, Dr.
However, industry operators remain cautious. President of the Shipping Association of Nigeria, Boma Alabi, argued that no real resolution has yet been achieved, pointing to the absence of a transparent and consistent mechanism for reviewing tariffs — something she says exists in more structured sectors like telecommunications and energy.
Alabi warned that piecemeal tariff approvals for individual companies have drained time and resources, urging the Committee to push the Council towards a more credible and standardised system that can inspire confidence across the industry. She also highlighted persistent operational issues, criticising the Nigeria Customs Service for what she described as unchanged practices, including irregular container auctions and fragmented command structures.
Alabi further raised alarm over security challenges at the ports, including stowaways and delays linked to investigations, which often leave shipping companies bearing financial and operational burdens beyond their control. She called for stronger coordination among agencies, clearer accountability, and improved security frameworks to prevent undue liabilities on shipping companies.