The two frontline freight forwarding associations in the maritime sector, the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had threatened to withdraw their services from the nation’s seaport if the government failed to do something to check the activities of some port operators in the sector.
In a press release jointly signed by the President of ANLCA, Prince Olayiwola Shittu and the President of NAGAFF, Dr. Eugene Nweke said that the two associations had viewed with dismay, the series of actions being undertaken by the terminal operators, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), the Nigerian Quarantine Service and the Shipping Companies which according to them may jeopardize the existing uneasiness in the sector.
The release warned that the two associations would no longer fold their arms and watch illegal charges being constantly foisted on hapless Nigerians adding that the Shippers’ Council which was the commercial regulator in the industry was being arm twisted and rendered impotent by the operators.
“The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), view with dismay series of actions being undertaken by Terminal Operators, Standards Organization of Nigeria (SON), Nigeria Quarantine Service and the Shipping Companies; actions which may jeopardize the existing operational keg of gun-powder soon to be ignited by selfish and greedy policies”.
“The Shippers’ Council which is the commercial regulator in the industry is being arm twisted and rendered impotent by operators who are hell bent on thwarting its efforts at reducing cost of doing business in the Nigerian Ports”.
“We shall not fold our hands as illegal charges are being constantly foisted on hapless Nigerians”, the statement partly read.
The associations informed that they were putting their members nationwide on notice to regard what they called the barefaced robbery as an affront and a denial of their livelihood as more cargoes were being diverted daily to the ports of the neighbouring countries as a result of avoidable impunity.
“Consequent upon the foregoing, a meeting of the National Executive Council (NEC) of our member associations now being convened for next week Wednesday to secure a go-ahead to withdraw our services nationwide in protest against these subversive actions”.
“We also call on the government to intervene urgently to avoid total paralysis of the ports and its attendant effect on the economy. Enough is enough”, the statement warned.
It will be however recalled that the Freight Forwarding associations in Apapa comprising of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) had earlier in the week embarked on strike action to demand a better service from the operators of AP Moller Terminal (APMT) and ENL Shipping company, an action which is yet to be resolved as at press time.
