Importers, Freight Forwarders Threaten Service Disruption Over Rate Hike

By Adedapo Adesanya

Port stakeholders, including importers and freight forwarders in the eastern zone have threatened to shut down services after a seven-day ultimatum over a 200 per cent hike in haulage rate by the Nigeria Shippers Council (NSC).

Addressing newsmen on behalf of the group, Mr Joshua Ahuama, Zonal Coordinator, Association of Nigerian Customs Licenced Agents (ANLCA), said the agency must rescind the move and return the rates to status quo.

He lamented that due to the current economic indicators, the move was ill-timed since it didn’t consider the stakeholders in the zone.

The representative said the meeting became necessary to enable the body collectively to reject the new rate, as it contravened the provisions of the NSC act.

According to him, stakeholder consultation is an integral provision of the agency’s act

“Recently, the NSC had approved a 200 per cent increment on haulage rate for transport owners and drivers operating under the maritime union of Nigeria.

“To this end, importers and freight forwarders associations in the eastern zone have unanimously disputed the new rate because it is outrageous, arbitrary and unacceptable to all stakeholders in the zone.

“We have, however, resolved to adopt all peaceful efforts. We started this move on March 14, by calling on the NSC to ensure proper stakeholders’ engagement and renegotiation,” he said.