'New Shippers Council bill will become law by June' - Reps reveal

The House Committee on Shipping Services of the House of Representatives has confirmed that the new Shippers Council bill which has had its second reading at the lower chamber will be signed into law by June 2024.

According to the committee, efforts are being made on the establishment of a maritime bank to ease financial services of stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Chairman of the committee, Abdussamad Dasuki, during a visit to the Nigerian Shippers Council head office stated that there will be a public hearing of the bill before it is sent to the upper chamber.

He said: “Any moment from now, we would be calling for a public hearing. There will be need for Shippers Council being a catalyst for our economy.

"Yes. The challenges have been highlighted and the expectations that are seen for this agency and other maritime related agencies I believe will be much better when that law is passed by the national Assembly.

“In the course of our deliberations, we have highlighted one of the successes that is expected from that bill which is the one per cent freight standardisation fund.

“The Committee will look into the possibility of championing the maritime bank so that the maritime sector or the key players will have their own bank.

“The whole idea is to stop the capital flight we have today in the sector. We look to have the support not just of the House of Representatives but of the national Assembly to make sure this is so.

“Also, we are going to have the Shippers’ together with your team to sit down and see how we can improve the services of the ship owners in Nigeria as soon as possible."

The Executive Secretary/CEO of the NSC, Pius Akutah also added: “The visit is happening around the time of my assumption of office.

"We believe that our close collaboration and corporation will see to the rapid development of the sector.”

BEB