Akutah Allays Stakeholders’ Fears, Says NPERA Will Work Closely with NPA, Sister Agencies

BY FRONTLINE REPORTERS

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigerian Ports Economic Regulatory Authority (NPERA), Akutah Pius Ukeyima, has moved to reassure stakeholders in Nigeria’s maritime industry that the newly established authority will work collaboratively with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and other sister agencies to strengthen efficiency, transparency and competitiveness across the nation’s ports.

Akutah, speaking against the backdrop of concerns over the relationship between NPERA and existing maritime institutions, said the new regulator was not created to undermine or displace any agency. Rather, he explained that NPERA would complement the mandates of relevant government bodies while fostering greater coordination and clarity in the administration of port operations.

He stressed that effective regulation of the Nigerian port system requires cooperation among all key agencies, stressing that NPERA would pursue a partnership-driven approach that places the interests of the Nigerian economy and port users at the centre of its activities.

According to him, the authority would engage continuously with the NPA, terminal operators, shipping companies, freight forwarders, customs and other stakeholders to address bottlenecks, improve service delivery and create an environment that encourages investment.

Akutah further assured stakeholders that NPERA would operate with professionalism, fairness and transparency, while promoting policies capable of reducing unnecessary delays and costs in the nation’s maritime trade. He said the agency’s success would ultimately be measured by how much it contributes to making Nigerian ports more efficient, predictable and globally competitive.

The NPERA helmsman called on industry stakeholders to support the authority as it begins to implement its mandate, assuring them that their concerns would be heard and addressed through regular consultation and constructive engagement. He reiterated that collaboration, rather than institutional rivalry, would remain the guiding principle of NPERA’s relationship with the NPA and other sister agencies.