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NSC’S FIRST-QUARTER MEDIATION RECOVERS N348.8M FOR PORT USERS AS SHIPPING FIRMS TOP COMPLAINT LIST
By Prince Benson Davies
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has recovered and saved maritime operators over N348.8 million in the first quarter of 2026 through its dispute resolution and intervention mechanism, reinforcing its role as port economic regulator.
Speaking with newsmen in Lagos on Tuesday, the Executive Secretary of the Council, Pius Akutah, gave a breakdown of the Council’s performance in handling port-related complaints and disputes between January and March 2026.
Akutah stated that the Council received a total of 32 complaints from port users between January and March 2026. Out of this number, 19 cases were fully resolved, one case was formally closed, while 12 complaints are still under investigation. He noted that the successful interventions resulted in the recovery or prevention of financial losses amounting to N348.81 million for stakeholders across the port system.
According to him, shipping companies and shipping agents accounted for the largest share of complaints during the quarter, with 22 cases lodged against them. He explained that issues around container deposit refunds topped the list with five complaints, followed by arbitrary charges with four complaints.
Other complaints handled by the Council within the period included demurrage disputes, cases of missing cargo, damaged goods, wrong discharge ports, and service failures by service providers. Akutah added that the pattern of complaints showed that shippers, exporters, importers, and freight agents remain the most affected by operational challenges at the ports.
The NSC boss reiterated the Council’s commitment to protecting the interests of cargo owners and ensuring fairness in port operations. He stressed that continuous engagement with service providers and stricter enforcement of service standards would remain a priority as the Council works to reduce trade disputes and improve efficiency within Nigeria’s maritime sector.
