As part of strategic institutional efforts to strengthen maritime supply chain resilience, eliminate operational bottlenecks, and drive down overall landed costs for Public Utility Cargo, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) paid an advocacy visit to the Transmission Company of Nigeria (TCN) Lagos Region Headquarters in Ijora, Thursday, July 2, 2026.
The high-level engagement between the Port Economic Regulator and the National Electricity Grid Operator focused on practical measures to sustain effective communication, fast-track the resolution of maritime commercial disputes, and enhance Cargo clearance efficiency at Nigerian entry Ports.
The NSC delegation was led on behalf of the Executive Secretary/CEO, Dr. Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq, MON, FCILT, by the newly appointed Head of the Complaints Unit, Dr. (Mrs.) Juliana Obiageli Saka, who was warmly received by the General Manager of TCN Lagos Region, Engr. Adeshina, Engr. Dare (Shipping & Expediting Unit) alongside members of the executive management including TCN Executive Director Finance Engr. O. Chijioke, ED Engineering and Engr. Joshua Aluko who joined virtually from TCN Headquarters in Abuja.
Welcoming the delegation, Engr. Adeshina congratulated Dr. Saka on her appointment and commended the NSC for its proactive interventions in resolving maritime commercial grievances, protecting Consignees, and promoting amicable dispute resolution. He noted that the existing partnership has remained mutually beneficial over the years, ensuring critical infrastructural equipment imported by TCN avoids prolonged Port distress.
Responding, Dr. Saka disclosed that the NSC is in the final stages of rolling out its upgraded Port Service Support Portal (PSSP). The digital platform engineered to serve as an online, real-time digital dispute resolution window for Port Users and institutional Consignees to lodge Complaint on Commercial Shipping disputes, track status, and eliminate manual bottlenecks.
“The upgraded PSSP initiative is fundamentally aimed at improving access to the Council’s commercial dispute resolution mechanisms, enhancing transparency, and drastically reducing the turnaround time required to address grievances,” Dr. Saka stated. She added that a comprehensive sensitization campaign would be carried out to onboard key stakeholders before the portal’s official launch.
Mitigating Demurrage Through Pre-Arrival Documentation, a pivotal operational guidance was issued during the session by Mr. Hassan Aminu, an Assistant Chief Operations Officer (NSC) who strongly advised TCN to enforce pre-arrival documentation across its entire inbound freight supply chain.
Mr. Aminu explained that finalizing all regulatory paperwork, manifest declarations, and clearing documentation before the Vessel’s arrival (Vessel berthing) is essential to eliminate avoidable administrative delays, facilitate seamless Cargo evacuation from terminal facilities, and mitigate heavy exposure to Shipping Line Demurrage and Port Storage Charges for exceeding free-time windows.
Dr. Saka closed her address by appealing to TCN for strict adherence and prompt compliance with resolutions reached through the Council’s mediation processes. She emphasized that timely implementation of these arbitrations bolsters trade velocity and builds market confidence within the West African maritime ecosystem.
Both public institutions reaffirmed their commitment to sustaining an open-door policy, noting that inter-governmental synergy under the Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy framework is critical to maximizing Port efficiency and achieving national trade facilitation goals.
