In a bid to restructured tariff rate in port operations, entrench fair and transparent charges, cut out arbitrariness and encourage healthy competition in its port, the Nigerian Shipper’s Council (NSC) has called on stakeholders to join in fixing charges that will be beneficial to the service provider and their clients.

The Council is saddled with the responsibility of setting guidelines on tariff on local shipping both on import and export regulation, in n line with Port economic 2015 part one, section three of 1997; basically to guide against arbitrariness in port.

Speaking at the validation meetings, review and modification of future adjustment on tariff in the port with the relevant stakeholders in the maritime sector.

The Executive Secretary, Hassan Bello who indicated this said validation had become necessary to curb arbitrary charges.

“This validation is necessitated by the incessant and excessive increases in costs from regulated service providers and the constant introduction of different tariff nomenclatures without proper consultation with the Council before implementation.

” These constant and continuous increases have negatively impacted on our nation’s economy thus adversely affecting the overall performance of the maritime sector.”

The council believed that setting these guidelines will further help to instill a culture of transparency in costs of services charged by regulated service providers and in the process address the excessive and arbitrary charges inherent in the industry.

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Proposed tariff Regime in the Nigerian Ports

Tariff setting or adjustment in the port Shall be summited by the service provider on the 10th of September, the year preceding the year of commencement.

Although there could be exceptions especially on the issue of critical policy exigencies.

Setting of tariff under this guideline shall be prepared in collaboration with stakeholders to arrive at a decision that will be acceptable to all parties.

The port regulator shall communicate it decision within forty-five (45) working daysfrom date of receipt of the application by the port regulator.

Tariff Regime means the period from the commencement to the expiration of an approved tariff.