Freight Forwarding Associations in the Nigerian maritime sector have issued a fresh 21 days ultimatum to the Federal Government to tackle operational challenges encountered in cargo clearance at the port.
At a meeting held at the Nigerian Shippers Council in Apapa, Lagos last week, the government appealed to the leadership of the five associations namely; ANLCA, NAGAFF, AREFFN, NCMDLCA and NAFFAC to give the government 21days to resolve all major concerns earlier raised by the operators.
The agents, particularly, ANLCA and NAGAFF had earlier issued a 21-day ultimatum to withdraw their services to the government to address most of the issues militating against smooth cargo clearance or else they will withdraw their services from the country's ports, land borders and entry points.
According to the two bodies, issues in contention include: arbitrary and unilateral increase in charges by terminal operators and shipping companies, highhandedness, impunity, extortion, blocking and arrest of properly exited cargoes on the highways and unwarranted detention of freight forwarders among others, as some of the practices militating against smooth cargo operations.
But addressing the peace meeting called at the instance of the Federal Government last week, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation; Mr. Sabiru Zakari, who said he has the mandate of the Presidency, appealed to the Freight Forwarders to shelve their proposed "withdrawal of service" as the government, in recognition of their important role in the nation's strive for greatness, was prepared to address the issues they have raised.
While adopting the paper presented jointly by NAGAFF and ANLCA, Mr. Zakari pleaded for more time to enable the government address all the issues raised against the Nigeria Customs Service, the Nigerian Ports Authority, the Nigeria Agricultural Quarantine Services, Maritime Police, SON, NAFDAC, Terminal Operators and others which have been fingered by the two Associations as hindering the free flow of cargo.
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