By ebosele@hotmail.com
The Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Agency (NPERA) and the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have commenced discussions on the transfer of inland dry port-related functions to ensure a seamless implementation of the new regulatory framework and strengthen Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
City Business News reports that the meeting, which brought together the management of both agencies, focused on the technical aspects of the transition, particularly the need to clearly define responsibilities and prevent duplication of functions among government agencies.
Speaking at the meeting, Director-General/CEO of NPERA, Dr. Pius Akutah, MON, said the directive of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Dr. Adegboyega Oyetola, CON, should be seen as an initiative aimed at advancing the growth and development of Nigeria’s marine and blue economy.
Akutah stressed that the transition could not be successfully achieved by NPERA alone, noting that the cooperation of all relevant stakeholders would be critical to the process.
According to him, the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy would remain central to the transition, while relevant mandates would be appropriately transferred to facilitate smooth integration.
He noted that the Minister’s intervention while the NPERA Bill was still before the National Assembly had helped resolve disagreements among agencies and provided a foundation for stronger inter-agency collaboration.
Akutah said the meeting marked the commencement of the process of transferring relevant inland dry port duties to NPERA in line with its mandate as an economic regulator.
He also emphasised the need to effectively operationalise the provisions of the NPERA Act, including Section 51, to facilitate a seamless transition and ensure that the responsibilities of the various stakeholders were properly aligned.
To coordinate the process, the NPERA boss proposed the establishment of a joint committee comprising NPERA, NPA, the National Inland Waterways Authority (NIWA) and the Federal Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy.
He said inland dry ports were critical to extending the benefits of the maritime sector to the hinterland while strengthening Nigeria’s trade and logistics network.
Responding, the Managing Director of NPA, Dr. Abubakar Dantsoho, described the initiative as a welcome development and assured NPERA of the Authority’s operational and technical support throughout the transition.
Dantsoho said the process had commenced with the right intention and purpose, adding that updated information on the current status of inland dry ports would be provided to support further deliberations.
He expressed optimism that continued engagement between the agencies would help achieve the objectives of the transition and further strengthen the development of inland dry ports.
Also speaking, NPA Executive Director, Engr. Lekan Badmus, commended NPERA for initiating the collaboration, describing the meeting as an important step towards achieving smooth integration.
He said the agencies had now entered the technical phase of the transition, with particular emphasis on avoiding duplication of functions.
In his closing remarks, Akutah said the proposed joint committee would reconvene with the Minister to obtain further clarification on the transition and agree on the necessary steps for its smooth and effective implementation.
