Following the expiration of the 42-day ultimatum given to government, freight forwarders and Licensed Customs Agents under the aegis of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (ANLCA – NAGAFF) Initiative (ANI) are to withdraw their services from the ports, land borders and other entry points of Nigeria as from Monday, May 15, 2017
The group said the decision to withdraw their services effective Monday was borne out of what they perceived as government’s lack-lustre approach to their demands which arose from what they termed factors militating against the ease of doing business at the ports.
It would be recalled that these freight operators whose operation covers the sea, air and land borders entry points into Nigeria had earlier given the government a 21- day notice of withdrawal of service if their grievances, including arbitrary increase in charges, impunity and extortion as well as the deplorable state of ports access roads among others were not addressed quickly.
The ultimatum was extended following perceived move by the government to douse the anxiety of practitioners.
However, at the expiration of the second ultimatum and bowing to pressure from their members across the country who have been spoiling for action, the leadership of the two leading associations in the country have called on their members all over the country to withdraw their services from all the entry points from Monday the 15th of May 2017.
A release by the ANLCA – NAGAFF INITIATIVE (ANI) signed by the duo of the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto and the Head Media and Publicity NAGAFF, Mr. Dipo Olayoku observed that the promises made by the government which made them to extend the ultimatum had remained largely unfulfilled.
They said according to International Labour laws guiding disputes, at the expiration of an ultimatum, the onus lies exclusively on the party which gave the ultimatum to decide when to take action, except there was a decision of the arbitration court stopping them during the period of the withdrawal of service
The ANI said negotiations were on- going with other stakeholders in the industry to ensure coordinated actions in this regard and urged everyone to maintain peace and order at all the entry points.
The initiative urged terminal operators and shipping companies not to do anything that would aggravate the situation on ground through unnecessary charges throughout the duration of the withdrawal of service.
The ANI Headquarters called on all chapter Chairmen of the two associations all over the country to ensure total compliance.
“May we at this point assure the Government of the Federation that our action is in the public interest and support for the anti – corruption war of the present administration. It is on record that at the moment a Lagos State High Court under Justice A. O. Williams has just convicted a foreigner in one of the shipping companies and his lawyer for contempt of court for disobeying court order on a maritime related case on shipping charges and related matters. Our approach is a peaceful withdrawal of service from the entry points of Nigeria international trade pending the resolution of all matters raised and submitted to the Government to enable the concept of ease of doing business in the Nigerian ports and border stations nationwide succeed.
“All members and practitioners are hereby directed to sit at home while we engage the Government in a peaceful resolution of all matters because it is a Nigerian project to fight corruption in our country”, the statement said.
Meanwhile, the amalgamation of the trucking associations had also issued a notice of withdrawal of service with effect from Monday, the 15th day of May, 2017.
The notice sighted by our correspondence reads,”The amalgamation of trucking associations and other stakeholders in the maritime industry wish to inform the general public that our services will be withdrawn indefinitely from Monday 15th of May, 2017. This is as a result of the deplorable state of the Tincan/Apapa seaports access roads which have been responsible for the destruction of our trucks, goods and even loss of lives. This withdrawal of service will continue until the roads are fully rehabilitated”.
Also, the leadership of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN) has asked all members of the association to stay away from the ports and all the entry points into Nigeria from Monday, the 15th day of May, 2017 until further notice.
A directive to that effect sighted by Primetime Reporters in one of the social media networks which was signed by the Director of Publicity of AREFFN reads,” All members of AREFFN, by the order of National Executive Council are hereby instructed to stay away from the ports and all the entry points into Nigeria from 15th May, 2017 until further notice. This is as a result of government’s insensitivity to the suffering of freight forwarders as revenue generators and its inability to address our demands as contained in letters addressed to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and copied to all concerned organs of the government”.
Continuing, the Acting National President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Com. Ben Ndee in a piece forwarded to our correspondence via the social media directed all his members to stay at home,” as mutually agreed by all accredited freight forwarding associations as from Monday 15th May, 2017.
“The reason as you all know is to compel government to commence immediate reconstruction of all decayed ports access roads and infrastructure across the nation. Our several meetings on this have yielded no positive response hence this action which though regrettable must be seen as a last resort and for the overall best interest of our dear nation. You will be kept posted as events unfold please”.
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