Shippers Don Vex As Port Service Charge Don Increase

My people, e be like say wahala don land for port as National Shippers Association of Nigeria no gree accept recent port service charge increase wey Nigerian Shippers’ Council don approve. Dem dey yan say this move fit raise trade cost and fit scatter government plan for ease of doing business. Na so dem carry all their body waka enter position paper wey dem submit to NSC.

Dem go on to talk say the whole process of approval no balance at all. Dem claim say shippers wey suppose dey involved no even get chance to talk when dem dey plan the increase. NSAN, wey represent cargo owners all over Naija, don shout say this matter na serious breach of trust. Omo, if dem no reason am well, this one fit affect loading costs for importers and aggravate inflation wey don dey worry everybody.

NSAN dey argue say the increase no make sense because port efficiency no don better well to justify wahala like this. Dem don ask NSC make dem quickly shelve this new charge and gather all stakeholders together within 14 days make dem clear wetin dey happen for future tariff reviews. Alhaji Jamilu Goma, wey be Acting National President of NSAN, don talk say dem dey hope say Nigerian Shippers’ Council go act with the integrity wey people dey expect.

Nah so, NSAN don also drop copies of their concern go Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola, and dem don carry am reach National Assembly too. Even major private sector bodies like Manufacturers Association of Nigeria don receive the gist as well. This wahala don spread, no be small.

Ali Madugu, wey be Chairman for the Board of Trustees of NSAN, don dey vex say the shipping lines wake up one morning come increase their tariffs by almost 60 percent without even looking for NSAN or any proper discussion. E talk say dem just dey do am anyhow, no proper gist with cargo owners wey suppose fit bring dem business.

Madugu don emphasize say without cargo owners, shipping lines no go fit run. So, e go make sense say NSC and the operators reason with NSAN before dem go start to increase charges. Meanwhile, NSC don already talk say all shipping companies and terminal operators go shelve any planned increase until dem consult with stakeholders.

Rebecca Adamu, wey dey handle Public Relations for NSC, don come explain say the adjustments wey dem approve dey within their statutory powers as the Port Economic Regulator. She go on to stress say dem no suppose discuss any charge without consulting all parties involved. Last last, dem go use iron hand if anybody no follow the rule.

Femi Anifowose, wey be Western Zone Coordinator for the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, don express say the decision shock everybody. E argue say nobody fit just wake up one day come increase charge without discussing with the people wey go feel am. E stress say all stakeholders dey against the increase, including manufacturers.

Ijeoma Ezeasor, the NSAN Secretary General, don go talk say as e be so, dem no dey accept the charges. She don make am clear say if the charges no revert after their meeting, dem go gather dey plan how to address the public. Everybody dey against this increase, including freight forwarders.