The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, APFFLON has rejected the new haulage rates from Eastern seaports to various destination across the country recently approved by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC.
APFFLON, in a statement signed by its National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite observed that the negotiated and reviewed haulage rates which had been approved by the NSC said to be in consideration of current cost moderation and cargo transport issues did not reflect the current reality.
The association further opined that the negotiations which were said to be harmonious and that the rates agreed upon were acceptable by all parties, including freight forwarders and truck owners was a farce as some of those who appended their signatures were coerced to do so.
“We wish to state here that the new haulage rates are outrageous and a clear reflection of gross insensitivity on the parts of those who sat at the negotiation table not excluding the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as an agency of the Federal Government.
“APFFLON, hereby wish to express its dissatisfaction with the new rates and urge the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to quickly make a downward review of the rates which do not reflect the present economic reality. We strongly believe that the Shippers’ Council Boss was mislead into giving his approval to the rates.
“We wish to state that the new rate will emasculate businesses at this particular time, therefore, we urge Nigerian Shippers’ Council to quickly carry out a downward review of the charges as they do not represent the interest of the generality of the people and neither reflect the current economic reality.
“APFFLON hereby wish to caution the Chief Executive Officer of Nigerian Shippers’ Council on leaving bad legacies at the Agency and also advise him to thread carefully in taking certain decisions in order not to mar his reputation. We call on the CEO to go round and feel the pulse of the people before giving his approval to certain proposals.
“We hereby state that the new haulage rates are unrealistic as some of them have additional 140% increase when compared with the old rates. The Chief Executive Officer must not allow people who do not mean well for the maritime industry to ruin his reputation”, APFFLON said.
While urging the Federal Government to always implement policies with human face, especially at a time when people were struggling to feed, it said, “The biting economic situation must be considered in whatever decision they are taking, people are struggling to feed, there is hardly a family that can boast of affording three square meal a day.
“Generally, times are hard, so coming up with new rates that are 140% higher is a reflection of gross insensitivity on the parts of those who sat at the negotiation table and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council that approved such rates, and APFFLON is never a party to such anti people policy that will not facilitate trade as it is also not in line with the Executive Order on Ease of Doing Business.”
On the demand for improved Maritime Workers welfare, APFFLON appealed to the Federal Government to look into the matter as the present economic reality called for upward review of salaries and emoluments of Nigerian workers in all sectors of the economy.
“The current inflation is something to worry about. Workers are going through hell as their monthly earnings cannot even put quality food on their table not to talk of other primary needs”, it concluded.
Photo: Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, National President, APFFLON.
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