Shippers Council Partners FCCPC on Consumer Protection, Sensitisation

Esther Oluku

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in collaboration with the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has embarked on a one-day sensitization exercise to enlighten stakeholders on the rights and responsibilities of stakeholders in the port and shipping sector.

The meeting, which held in Lagos was aimed at strengthening compliance with existing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) of product and service providers, cut corruption as well as develop instruments for the implementation of the Consumer Protection Regime (CPR).

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Mr. Emmanuel Jime, in his keynote address stated that the engagement is to sensitise stakeholders on their rights and privileges as port users and carry stakeholders along in the process of developing the CPR so as to build trust and confidence before rolling out the scheme.

Jime, who was represented by the Executive Director Human Resources, Ms. Ada Okamm, noted that the sensitisation also hopes to ascertain the challenges of various regulated service providers and users and to propose solutions that may form the inputs for developing guidelines for the CPR to achieve seamless operations with little or no infringements of rights. 

He said: “The sensitization exercise is in line with part 5.1.5 of the MoU which states that parties shall jointly or individually, sensitize and enlighten the consumers and stakeholders on the rights and responsibilities in relation to shipping matters.”

He explained that the CPR when instituted will address issues arising from infringements of rights by service providers and users in the industry as well as enthrone sanity and fair-trade practices in the system.

On his part, the Executive Vice Chairman FCCPC, Mr.Babatunde Irukera, expressed commitment to the collaboration adding that at it is important to put the consumer at the heart of the deliberations

Represented by the Director of Legal Services, Mr. Tam Tamunokobia, said; “we must ensure that the consumer is protected and ensure that the welfare of the consumer is uppermost on our minds.”

Stressing the need for integrity in correcting the perception of the Nigeria and Nigerian businesses over the world, the Director of Programmes, CBI Nigeria, Mr. Emmanuel Bosah, stated that transparency in the ports and shipping operations would make for a more consumer friendly environment.

“It is worthy of note that the requirement for clear, transparent Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) cannot only apply to port authorities. Service providers in the private sector, such as Shipping companies must equally introduce transparent SOPs that make clear charges, timelines, and procedures, for example, for container returns as well as shipping charges to various export destinations, without compromising their trade secrets, ” he said.