Increase in terminal charges may lead to total shut down of the Ports if ….

Increase in terminal charges may lead to total shut down of the Ports if ….

…As freight forwarders reject arbitrary increase in rent charges to over 650 %

By Silas Onuoha 

There are indications that activities in the Nigerian ports may witness a disruption of operations, if urgent and pragmatic actions are not taken to avert the looming industrial action by the freight Forwarders, who are irked by the recent arbitrary hike in rent Charges to over 650 per cent by the terminal operators.

The freight Forwarders under the aegis of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF),100% Compliance are enraged over the sudden increment without any notice or consultation,describing the action of the terminal operators as “an ambush” against the freight forwarders.

In a press statement made available to our Correspondent and signed by the National Coordinator of NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, the group is demanding immediate reversal to status quo, saying that serious engagement with the stakeholders, warning that if these were not done by the terminal operators, they may be forced to total shut down of the ports.

Part of the statement reads,” We have taken note of the sudden and arbitrary increment in terminal charges by Terminal operators.
Granted, they are facing serious challenges with the economy, we are however constrained to reject the arbitrary increase for the following reasons;
The Suddenness of the ambush.
The increment is way too high; over 650% percent”.

Accordingly, they demanded the following: “Immediate reversal to status quo, serious engagement with stakeholders”.

The NAGAFF 100% Compliance Team,
however warned that; “failure to reach a compromise may ultimately lead to a total shut down of the Ports”.

***_Addition information from Premium News Daily_