The Nigerian Port Consultative Council (NPCC) has declared its support for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council’s (NSC) move for self-collection of one per cent freight stabilisation fee.

The Chairman of the NPCC, Mr. Bolaji Sunmola, in a statement, yesterday, said in addressing the paucity of funds, the Council requires proper funding in the execution of its regulatory activities.

Sunmonu, who recognised the contribution of the Shippers’ Council to the development of Nigeria‘s maritime sector, reiterated the need to strengthen the regulatory power of the Council as the ombudsman in port operations.

A member of the NPCC, Mrs. Chinwe Ezenwa, said the issue of funding was a key priority that must be addressed by the government.

In his response, the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the NSC, Pius Akutah, maintained that the Council proposes one per cent freight stabilisation fee to execute its statutory activities.

He stated that the bill, which seeks to repeal the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act CAP N133 Laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (LFN), and next the Nigerian Shipping and Port Economic Regulatory Agency, recently passed the Second Reading in the House of Representatives,  adding that the bill when passed into law would bring about monumental industry benefits to the nation’s economy.