Truck owners under the aegis of Coalition of Ports Dry Cargo Transport Operators (CPDCTO) have accused the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) for failing to mount pressure on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA)to repair the deplorable ports access roads.
CPDCTO also alleged that ANLCA has compromised in its romance with the NPA in the matter of minimum standard for trucks coming into Lagos ports.
In a letter made available to Shipping Position Daily yesterday by Secretary, Coalition of Ports Dry Cargo Transporrt Operators (CPDCTO); Comrade Ifeanyi Ekwunife , the group accused the national publicity secretary of ANLCA; Mr. Kayode Farinto over what it called a one-sided support for NPA.
Ekwunife who was responding to ANLCA’s position on the face-off between NPA and truckers, said that It is rather unfortunate that ANLCA, through Mr Farinto supported the NPA against truck owners.
The RTEAN Chieftain also alleged that there have been cases where clearing agents had asked drivers to aid them in diverting their clients’ (importers) cargoes.
He said truck owners have always supported ANLCA in all their struggles to remain relevant in the maritime industry, pointing out that it is disheartening that ANLCA can direct its members to patronise only trucks with NPA Stickers.
Ekwunife opined that in the best interest of the maritime business, ANLCA should strive to partner with the truck owners to promote a responsive and viable maritime industry, rather than cast aspersions and denigrate fellow stakeholders.
The coalition scribe further maintained that, “It is rather unfortunate that ANLCA, through its P.R.O; Mr. Kayode Farinto, could go to the press to vilify truck owners, who have always supported them (ANLCA) in all their struggles to remain relevant in the maritime industry.”
“It is even more disheartening to know that ANLCA had decided to back NPA against the truck owners in a battle the former can never win.”
” But, be that as it may, the truck owners under the aegis of Coalition of Ports Dry Cargo Transport Operators (CPDCTO) would tackle the issues as raised by Farinto.”
“It is obvious that Farinto is oblivious of the politics behind the certification and registration of trucks.”
” It is even curious that ANLCA decided to go to the press based on information at its disposal from NPA on the current impasse. ”
“One wonders why the law of natural justice was jettisoned by ANLCA by not hearing from the other side of the divide. Surely, to ANLCA, there are no two sides to a coin.”
He added that the association will want ANLCA to know that it is ready to ask its members to submit their trucks for the registration exercise if NPA cancels the monetary attachment.
He further noted that NPA can only levy Fleet Owners who are NPA contractors that have service to render at the ports.
“In accusing the truck owners of delay in returning empty containers, Farinto should realize that it is the fault of the Terminal Operators who do not have the space, the technological capacity, or adequate logistics to receive the empties. ”
“This is responsible for the long and unending queues which contribute 50% of the traffic gridlock along the Oshodi- Apapa expressway.”
“Or is Farinto not aware that there has been a subsisting NPA directive (since 2012) to Shipping Companies to provide holding bays outside of the ports for their empty containers for ease of port operations?
“This directive was issued out of pressure and agitation by the truck owners.
“May I ask why Farinto and his ANLCA have not drummed support for NPA to enforce it, or directed its members to stop patronizing the Shipping Companies and TO.s, knowing that they are direct beneficiaries of the policy?
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