• NPA Promises To Intervene
Just like we scooped yesterday, licensed customs agents have made good their threat to shut down shipping companies that failed to wave demurrage charges on account of the recent nationwide strike that was called by organised labour and its allies; the civil society groups.
Top on the list of the shipping companies which were affected was the Maersk Line whose City office located in Apapa and CMA CGM which were picketed by angry licensed customs agents.
The office was closed down by the leadership of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agent (ANLCA) and National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) while some members of task force of each association were standing guard to ensure that the office is not reopened until they have fully complied with the demands of the agents.
Apart from the two shipping companies, the angry clearing agents also picketed the offices of foremost terminal operator, PTML which is located at Tin Can Island port, even as it was confirmed that TICT which hurriedly complied did not escape the furry of the agents who also picketed it.
Shipping Position Daily however confirmed late yesterday that were it not for the quick intervention of the Nigerian Ports Authourity (NPA), the matter would have degenerated.
Our correspondent confirmed that the executive director, marine and operations, Mr Sotonye Etomi led the general manager in charge of western operations, Alhaji Mohammed Bulangu and other top officials of the NPA into a meeting with the leadership of the agents for a reconciliatory meeting.
Sources at the meeting confirmed t our correspondent that NPA assured that it would mediate in the face-off and ensure that the terminal operators and the shipping companies meet the demands of the clearing agents.
One of those who attended the meeting but who pleaded anonymity confirmed to our correspondent that virtually all the terminal operators have waived the demurrage and added that the bone of contention is the refusal of the shipping companies not to do same.
But, addressing a press conference earlier, the national chairman of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition group, Mr. Osita Patrick debunked media claims that all the terminal operators have agreed to waive demurrage for the strike period.
According to him, only one of the terminal operators have so far agreed to waive seven days, which is TICT, and this was agreed because we went there in mass yesterday and we threatened to shut down the place, they would not have agreed easily" he said
Osita said that the only language “these people understand is strike and protest, if not they will not comply, we have all it takes to put a stop to operations in the maritime sector, and the shipping companies and terminal operators better comply unless they want a mayhem in the port" he warned.
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