The National Association of Government
Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) on
Tuesday said the Federal Government and
port operators lost about N40 billion to
the 11-day strike which crippled Apapa
Port in last month.
This is contained in a statement made
available to newsmen in Lagos by the
Public Relations Officer of the association,
Mr Simeon Nwonu.
The statement described the strike as
“needless’’, adding that there was no
reason for it.
It expressed concern over the long ship
waiting time experienced at the port
during the strike.
“For avoidance of doubt, it is on record
that the alleged complaint against APMT
operations (the concessionaire of the
Apapa Container Terminal) is not peculiar
to Apapa Port.
“The issue of arbitrary charges is a matter
which affects almost all terminal
operators in Nigerian ports.
“This matter at present is being handled
by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC)
as the commercial regulator.
“We are aware that a case is pending at
the High Court between the terminal
operators and Nigerian Shippers’ Council
with regards to arbitrary charges,’’ the
statement said.
“APMT is a world-class terminal operator
and an investor in Nigeria that requires
the support and protection of our country.
“If the agency of government which had
the schedule to administer our ports had
performed well, it is obvious that our
ports may not have been concessioned,’’
NAGAFF said.
The statement said that a good example
was that of the Nigeria Customs Service
(NCS) which had retrieved its statutory
function from the service providers after
several years, with the help of the freight
forwarders of Nigeria.
“We do hope that the Nigerian Ports
Authority (NPA) will take advantage, using
its oversight functions to ensure that our
ports are friendly and competitive.
“The essence and primary objective of
port concession is to bring about
efficiency, competitiveness and reduction
of costs.
“It is most unfortunate that human
element problems, including but not
limited to corruption; non-compliance with
import regulations, disregard for rule of
law and inadequate cargo handling
equipment are the bane of our port
operations.
“The Nigerian seaports like any other all
over the world is a transit area for goods
and persons,’’ the statement said.
It said: “what we see today is that ports
are being used as warehouses and
thereby distorting the entire system in
ports administration and management.’’
NAGAFF said that Section 31 of the
Customs and Excise Management Act
(CEMA) was clear as to the dwell time of
cargo in the ports which should not
exceed 30 days.
The statement said: “thereafter such
goods would be moved out of the port for
further action, including but not limited to
processes leading to auction.
“The point herein is to ask why uncleared
cargo lists are not being prepared and
such cargo transferred to the designated
outer terminals.
“Progressive port charges for unlawful
stay of cargo in our ports become
necessary as a deterrent to the
defaulters.
“It is also a fact that the cargo scanners
are not optimal in their performance, due
to frequent breakdown,’’ the association
said.
The statement condemned the
administration of the Pre-Arrival
Assessment Report (PAAR) regime and
maintenance of the scanners by the
customs service with a `meagre’ sum of 7
per cent of the total duty collected.
It said that the service had to attend to
the general welfare of officers and men,
salary, capital projects and other logistics
required to ensure an efficient customs
operations.
“We advocate that the Nigerian Shippers’
Council be allowed to conclude the on-
going court processes with the terminal
operators to resolve the issue of arbitrary
charges and other incidentals,’’ it said.
The statement directed all members of
NAGAFF to exercise restraint in any
matter leading to the closure of the port
and explore all amicable avenues with the
authorit
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