By Innocent Orok
The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Barr. Pius Akutah, has met with the Director -General of the World Trade Organization (WTO), Dr (Mrs) Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala in Geneva, Switzerland. The meeting was to discuss the challenges facing the Nigeria’ s maritime industry and find possible solutions.
Akutah and his team met the WTO Chief on Wednesday, March 12th, 2025 where they brainstormed on trade impediments in the shipping sector of the country and how they could be surmounted.
The NSC boss said the visit was crucial, “most particularly at this moment when the government is driving transformational changes in the maritime sector”.
He regarded the warm reception granted his team by Dr Ngozi Okonjo -Iweala as a “clear demonstration of patriotism and support for the country”.
The WTO DG expressed willingness to engage the Shippers’ Council helmsman on the problems facing the Nigeria’s shipping sector and hoped solutions could be found.
She expressed desire that the Shippers’ Council and other government agencies could seize and harness the boundless opportunities in the shipping sector for its growth and development.
“Good discussions on the challenges facing the ports, maritime and shipping in Nigeria, all important aspects of trade.
” Also discussed possible solutions. Lots to do but opportunities exist for turnaround. Wishing the Shippers Council well in seizing these opportunities” Iweala declared.
