Following the rejection of the new haulage rates from Eastern Ports to various destinations across the country by the Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria, APFFLON, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has extended the implementation of the new rates by two months.
The National President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite had 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.
He 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 President said.
In a reaction, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council announced an extension of the implementation of the new rates by two months at an all inclusive meeting between it and the representatives of the shippers, truck owners, freight forwarders, Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (Haulage Unit) among others associations held in Port-Harcourt on Wednesday to review the rates.
A communique issued at the end of the all inclusive meeting stated that in recognition of some gains that were currently being made on the port access roads, exchange rate, and diesel price adjustment, the two parties agreed to review the new haulage rates at the next stakeholders’ meeting.
The meeting which was presided over by Mr. Glory Onojedo, South-South Zonal Coordinator, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, also said that the appeal by the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria (Haulage Unit) for a two month period to enable them consult and sensitize their members was granted.
The communique went on to state that the acceptance of the appeals by the Maritime Workers’ Union of Nigeria by shippers, freight forwarders and other stakeholders, it was further resolved that:
“The new haulage rates should not be forced on any stakeholder during the period.
“The Maritime Workers’ Union Task Force should not compel anybody to implement the new rates within the agreed two (2) months.
“That the concerned parties should meet amongst themselves and negotiate a realistic and acceptable rates to all parties and bring along for ratification and approval by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council during the next all inclusive stakeholders’ meeting.”
Those who attended the all inclusive meeting are: Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), representatives of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (Haulage Unit) Eastern Ports, representatives of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), National Shippers’ Association of Nigeria ((NASAN) and National Council of Managing Directors Customs Agents (NCMDCA).
Others include: Association of Registered Freight Forwarders Nigeria (AREFFN), African Association of Registered Freight Forwarders & Logistics of Nigeria ((APFFLON), Truck Owners Association of Nigeria, Association of International Traders and Ultimate Importers (A.I.T), Automobile Manufacturers and Importers Association, Aba POP and Allied Product Dealers Association of Nigeria and Abia Freight Forwarders of Nigeria.
Some of the dignitaries at meeting include: Chief Dr. Innocent Akuvue, Chief Eze Mentus Mbonu, Mr. Mike Ebeatu, Dr. Uche Ohaegbuchulem, Pastor Jerry Opara, Comr. Ngozi Uzohuo, Chief Emeka Nwosu, Sir. Joshua Ahuama, Chief Theodare Ejezie, Lady Chinyere Okere, Chief Ijere Ibiam and Comrade Adolphus Ugwu, Haulage District Chairman, Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, Eastern Ports, among others .
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