…Blames Shippers’ Council for delay
The management of the Ports and Terminals Multiservices Limited, PTML has announced its intention to review the terminal and agency tariffs in order to meet up with the expectations of both the stakeholders and clients in maintaining high quality service delivery that the terminal is known for.
Speaking during a familiarization visit by the leadership of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, led by its National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, the Managing Director of PTML, Mr. Ascanio Russo said that the increment had become necessary especially as the terminal had not increased tariffs in the last two years even when inflation two years ago was different from what it is today.
Noting that they had requested the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC to approve an upward review of tariffs for them, he, however disclosed that the NSC was foot dragging on the matter.
He sought the understanding and collaboration of the members of ANLCA to ensure that the terminal’s intent to increase its tariff would be realized even as he went ahead to make a comparative analysis of petrol and electricity between the last two years and today which he said cost three times more than it was in the last two years.
His words, “One area we should like to bring to your attention is the issue of tariff. This is something which we need to work on together. The one I making reference to is the terminal and agency tariffs. You know these things have been with the Shippers’ Council but they are dragging their foot. But you know that these tariffs, they have not been changed for almost two years now and you know, inflation two years ago is very different from inflation today.
“Two years ago, petrol was around N160, now it’s N1,000. Electricity is now three times more, everything is three times more. In all of these, the only thing that has remained the same is our own tariff
So, I just want to chip in this thing because we are trying to engage with you guys.
“I just want to chip in the fact that basically, we are losing money and that we are subsidizing this business because we are keeping the same standard and of course, the level of income we are making is not enough to sustain this level of service.
“So, this is something I hope we can work together and I am confident that with your support, we can discuss and find some reasonable compromise.
“It should not be something extra ordinary that our charges are going to increase when any other cost in Nigeria has increased dramatically over the last two years. You will all agree with me that we need to make some adjustments. Of course, I want to carry you along because you are our partner and so we need to be aligned because we don’t want friction.
“But I believe that this is justifiable because I am also working with your clients, like your clients are also my clients and they are aware and they are ready.”
Responding, the National President of ANLCA, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji, while appreciating him for the information and for being proactive in carrying the association along in their planned increment, observed that tariff discussion was beyond the chapters adding that it was something they were very careful the way they go about it.
According to him, “By the time we know the level of your asking, we will now know whether it’s something we can handle with our importers. We are just representatives of the importers and even you too and the customs.”
Photo: ANLCA leadership led by its National President, Mr. Emenike Nwokeoji in a discussion with the management of PTML led by its Managing Director, Ascanio Russo during the visit in Lagos recently.
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