The Shippers Association Lagos State (SALS) has called on the federal government of Nigeria to withdraw any port concession agreement prepared by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) without the input of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC).
The association in a statement issued in Lagos on Tuesday by its President, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol and made available to our correspondent said they were very concerned over the press release by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council that another port concession agreement was secretly prepared by the NPA without the knowledge and input of key players in the Industry.
Nicol stated that they were in support of the press release made by the NSC which he said represents the interests of the shippers in matters relating to port charges and price regulations.
He said, “Without the input of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the motive of getting a workable mechanism for regulated and equitable port pricing is defeated.
“Therefore, in order to transit without additional burden on the users of port facilities in Nigeria, government should withdraw the document and cancel it outrightly. The ports concession agreement of 2006 has brought untold hardship to Nigerians and one of the fallout is the Apapa traffic that has no solutions whether or not the roads are completed. It also introduced impunity in addition to public monopoly.
“The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has our mandate to represent us where necessary, especially within government circles to fight for the interests of Shippers. Side tracking the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is a bad signal. Shippers Association Lagos State is in consultation with our 26 state chapters to fight this cause and for the rights of shippers and also protect the Nigerian Shippers’ Council.”
Recall that the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) recently embarked on review of port concession agreement with some terminal operators whose agreement had expired without the input of the major stakeholders in the industry, a situation which has not gone down well with stakeholders hence this reaction.
Photo: President, Shippers Association Lagos State, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Nicol.
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