The Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Western Zone, has accused shipping companies and terminal operators of operating without regard for social responsibility while subjecting freight agents to harsh and degrading working conditions at Nigerian seaports.
The Western Zone Coordinator of ANLCA, Alhaji Femi Anifowose, said shipping companies operating in Apapa have failed to give back to their host communities despite earning substantial revenues from Nigeria’s import and export trade.
He alleged that rather than invest in port communities or improve service delivery, the companies are more interested in repatriating profits abroad, while consistently imposing higher charges on port users.
According to Anifowose, terminal operators have compounded the problem by providing poor and unconducive operational sheds for freight agents, thereby making legitimate port activities unnecessarily stressful and difficult.
He described the working conditions at some terminals as inhumane, noting that freight agents are forced to carry out their duties in environments that fall far below acceptable standards for modern port operations.
Anifowose specifically mentioned APM Terminals and ENL Consortium as facilities where agents experience severe hardship in the process of clearing cargo. At ENL, he said operational inefficiencies and cargo-handling delays almost inevitably result in demurrage charges on consignments, regardless of how diligent an agent may be.
While acknowledging that operations at APM Terminals are relatively better, he noted that delays and systemic bottlenecks remain frequent. He identified Eko Support Services as the most efficient terminal in Apapa Port but added that the facility also struggles during periods of heavy cargo volume, leading to congestion and avoidable delays.
The ANLCA coordinator further expressed concern over what he described as exploitative practices by some shipping companies, including the commencement of demurrage charges even before vessels berth and containers are discharged.
He warned that such practices, combined with fresh plans to introduce additional shipping charges, would further escalate the cost of doing business at the ports.
Anifowose argued that the renewed push for higher charges is unjustifiable, recalling that shipping companies increased tariffs by over 400 per cent about three years ago, even as major cost drivers such as foreign exchange and diesel prices have since stabilised or declined.
He cautioned that the cumulative impact of these charges would ultimately be passed on to consumers in an import-dependent economy, worsening inflationary pressures and deepening the burden on ordinary Nigerians.
While acknowledging claims by some shipping company executives that the proposed increments are intended to cater for staff welfare and office maintenance, Anifowose maintained that such internal operational costs should not be transferred to freight agents and importers.
He therefore called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to urgently intervene to curb arbitrary charges, enforce fair port practices and compel shipping companies and terminal operators to meet their social and operational obligations, warning that continued neglect could erode confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector and disrupt trade.
