• Super Admin
• 06 Mar, 2026

The Executive Secretary, Nigeria Shippers' Council, Dr Pius Akutah, the Director of Planning, Research, and Statistics, Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Hajia Kalthum Ibrahim-Uwaniin and the Chairman of Board, Nigerian Shippers Council, Dr Ibrahim Shema, at the 2026 Retreat held at Conference Hotel, Abeokuta, on Thursday THE Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers' Council, NSC, Mr Pius Akutah, says the Nigeria Port Economic Regulatory Agency, NPERA bill has not yet been signed into law. Akutah said the bill, earlier transmitted by the National Assembly to President Bola Tinubu, was returned for corrections after provisions conflicted with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act 2025. He disclosed this on Thursday at the 2026 NSC Management Retreat in Abeokuta with the theme 'Advancing Strategic Execution: Driving Collaboration, Innovation and Excellence for a Future-Ready NSC.' "As you are aware, the Bill had earlier been passed by the National Assembly and transmitted for presidential assent. "During the review process, certain provisions were observed to conflict with the Nigerian Tax Administration Act 2025. "In line with the observations communicated by Mr President, the Bill was returned to the National Assembly for the necessary corrections," he said. Akutah said the House of Representatives had corrected the conflicting provisions and passed the revised bill. "I am pleased to inform you that the House of Representatives has addressed the areas of conflict and passed the revised version. "The amended bill is now awaiting concurrence from the Senate before it can be transmitted again for presidential assent," he said. He said the legislation would strengthen Nigeria's port economic regulatory framework and reposition the council for an expanded mandate. "Once assented to, this legislation will provide the statutory foundation for strengthening Nigeria's port economic regulatory framework," Akutah said. He also disclosed that the council's proposed staff salary review had received approval from the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy and the Office of the Head of Civil Service. Akutah said the proposal was undergoing final vetting by the Budget Office before consideration by the National Salaries, Incomes and Wages Commission. He added that welfare improvements had been introduced, including an upward review of the Children Education Grant and new health and social club allowances. Akutah urged staff to maintain high ethical standards and avoid gossip and misinformation that could undermine institutional credibility. "The Nigerian Shippers' Council is a regulatory institution of national importance. "The reputation, credibility and authority of this institution depend greatly on the conduct, integrity and professionalism of its staff," he said. He reminded workers that the Oath of Secrecy and Allegiance administered in 2025 remained a binding commitment to institutional integrity. Akutah urged directors and unit heads to move beyond administration and become drivers of institutional transformation. He stressed that the council's 2025-2029 Strategic Plan must be implemented with "clinical execution". Chairman of the council's Governing Board, Dr Ibrahim Shema, reminded staff of the council's critical role in developing Nigeria's marine and blue economy. Shema said the board was committed to providing policy direction to support management in achieving national objectives for the sector. Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy, Mrs Fatima Sugra-Mahmood, urged the council to strengthen port cost monitoring systems. Sugra-Mahmood also called for stronger dispute resolution mechanisms to improve operational efficiency in the maritime sector. She said strategic retreats allowed institutions to recalibrate direction in response to emerging realities. "As you deliberate over the next few days, be bold in your thinking, honest in your assessments and practical in your recommendations," she said. Director of Planning, Research and Statistics, Mr Rotimi Anifowoshe, said the council must meet rising stakeholder expectations. Anifowoshe said: "In this environment, execution is not optional; it is essential. "If we execute effectively, stakeholder confidence deepens, institutional credibility strengthens and our contribution to national economic objectives becomes measurable." (NAN) Source: https://realnewsmagazine.net/npera-bill-awaits-senate-concurrence-before-tinubus-assent-akutah/