By Uzor Odigbo
The Executive Secretary of Nigeria Shippers’ Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, has called for more openness in the concession agreements between the Federal Government and various ports concessionaires across the country.
Addressing a meeting at the National Assembly, Bello said that making the agreements more public would address challenges of cargo types for designated ports, investors and other port users interests.
He blamed change of government policies for variations in types of cargoes earlier agreed upon for the various ports , which according to him , is an action in breach of the various agreements earlier reached
Bello listed inefficiency in implementation of the agreements by the parties, container deposits, freight and other shipping charges as contributors to the high costs of doing business in the nation’s ports.
On its case in the Supreme Court with shipping companies where its status as maritime industry commercial regulator is being challenged, Bello said the NSC is at the verge of opting for an out of court settlement option.
The council had earlier won at the Federal High Court and Supreme Court.