Even as some freight forwarding associations as well as some major stakeholders have rejected the new haulage rates approved for the Eastern seaports by the port economic regulator, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, the National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents, NCJTFCLA has harped on the need to conduct an honest assessment of the current market realities in rejecting the proposed haulage tariffs.
The National President of the association, High Chief Dr. Basil Nwolisa who made the call in a statement in Lagos at the weekend, listed the factors to be considered to include the prevailing prices of petroleum products and vehicle maintenance, which he said had increased significantly adding that the cost of standard haulage trucks must also be taken into account.
According to him, a thorough analysis of those factors would provide a more accurate understanding of the haulage industry’s operational costs.
“This, in turn, will enable the development of more informed and realistic tariffs that reflect the true costs of providing haulage services”, he added.
Speaking further on some of the key factors, Nwolisa said, “The current market price of fuel, diesel, and other petroleum products used in haulage trucks, the cost of regular maintenance, repairs, and replacement of parts for haulage trucks as well as the cost of purchasing and maintaining standard haulage trucks, including financing costs and depreciation.
“By considering these factors, we can develop a more comprehensive understanding of the haulage industry’s operational costs and create more informed and realistic tariffs.”
Insisting that ensuring the utilization of serviceable vehicles for goods transportation was of paramount importance, the NCJTFCLA boss opined, “This critical aspect cannot be overstated, as it directly impacts the safety and integrity of goods in transit.”
“The use of well-maintained vehicles significantly reduces the risk of goods loss on the highway, thereby protecting the interests of all stakeholders involved”, he further submitted.
To achieve this, Nwolisa maintained that it was essential to conduct thorough checks to ensure that vehicles were in good working condition before embarking on transportation, perform routine maintenance tasks, such as oil changes and tire rotations to prevent mechanical failures, implement and enforce strict safety standards for vehicles and drivers to minimize the risk of accidents as well as continuously monitor vehicle performance and address any issues promptly to prevent breakdowns.
“By prioritizing the use of serviceable vehicles, we can ensure the safe and efficient transportation of goods, ultimately benefiting all stakeholders involved”, he concluded.
Photo: High Chief Dr. Basil Nwolisa, National President, National Compliance Joint Taskforce of Licensed Clearing Agents.
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