The Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS) has advised its members as well as the entire shippers in Lagos State to boycott the National Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) sheds until further notice.
The association however advised the shippers to go using the Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCOL) in their transactions
This order came following the refusal of NAHCO to shift grounds after series of attempts by shippers to resolve some impending issues with the management of the company which has degenerated into strike by the freight forwarders operating at the Murtala Mohammed Airport Cargo unit in Lagos.
Rev. Nicol while addressing maritime journalist at Shippers Tower in Apapa, Lagos said, ‘‘it has come to the notice of the SALS that freight forwarders have withdrawn their services at the Murtala Mohammed Cargo and are on strike because of illegal increases in handling and demurrage charges by 30% margin.’’
‘‘Still SAHCOL has refused to increase prices, SALS is in full support of the freight forwarders to press for reversal to the old price. NAHCO in its response to SALS complained that it is the devaluation of the naira”.
The President further stressed that some of these Terminal Operators have failed to feel the pain and heartbeats of the Nigerian Shippers; rather they are milling their pockets and flouting the efforts of the Nigerian Shippers Council in negotiating prices increase.
More so, majority of the shippers can hardly get back their capital investments talk more of making profits.
‘‘While the shippers are crying to the banks these terminal operators both at sea ports and airport are smiling to the banks,’’ he said adding that it is indeed a sympathetic situation and very unfortunate.
