Even though the Nigerian Shippers’ Council had recently directed them to stop collection of any fees at the ports, there are indications that freight forwarding associations namely; Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) have neglected the Council's warning by going ahead to collect transaction fees at some entry points in the country, notably seaports and airport.
The act reportedly generates millions of Naira into the coffers of these associations weekly.
Even though the Nigerian Shippers’ Council had recently directed them to stop collection of any fees at the ports, there are indications that freight forwarding associations namely; Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) and the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) have neglected the Council's warning by going ahead to collect transaction fees at some entry points in the country, notably seaports and airport.
The act reportedly generates millions of Naira into the coffers of these associations weekly.
Our investigations at some ports confirmed that the practice is still prevalent at Onne port in Rivers state, PTML and Murtala Mohamed International Airport, both in Lagos. There insinuations that it also clandestinely collected in other ports as well. This could however not be confirmed.
Even though the involvement of NAGAFF could not be confirmed Shipping Position Daily’s investigations revealed that the Onne seaport chapter of ANLCA is neck deep in the practice. The body allegedly collects an unascertained amount per container.
Shipping Position Daily recalls that an order was given in March after a meeting between the Nigerian Shippers Council and some stakeholders in Onne, where issues bordering on the illegal collection were discussed.
Our correspondent in Port Harcourt, who visited Onne port last week, sighted a document purported to have been written by ANLCA, Onne seaport urging all agents to pay fees to the association’s revenue generation committee at FOT near Tonimas Oil Tank Farm, in clear contravention of the Shippers’ Council directive.
The document which emanated from ANLCA, Onne seaport chapter was signed by one Nze Theodore Ejezie as the Chairman ANLCA Onne seaport Revenue Generation Committee. It was dated 8th April, 2014, and titled: “NOTICE TO ALL AGENTS”.
A part of the letter directed to all agents at the Onne Sea Port read: “You are by this notice reminded to pay your ANLCA practicing fee to the team of our Revenue Generation Committee at FOT near TONIMAS Oil Tank Farm and collect your official receipt of payment. Please ensure that you make this payment before taking delivery or at the point of delivery and make available copies of payment to your cargo driver, because the revenue team may not listen to any excuse after notice”.
The practice is age-long at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, where a federal agency collects the fees on behalf of the associations. The revenue so collected is remitted into an account at the end of every month.
Shipping Position Daily findings also shows that, on every vehicle that is cleared out of the PTML Customs Command at Mile 2, the associations collect between N200 and N400 on each car.
When our correspondent visited the PTML Customs at Mile 2 in Lagos, officers of the associations were noticed sharing offices with the Nigeria Custom Service, even as agents called on government to investigate the PTML Customs.
Freight forwarders have however called on the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to rise to the occasion and exert its authority over the two associations because such collections further add to the high cost of doing business at the port.
One of those who spoke with our correspondent, the Cordinator of the Save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNFFIEC); Chief Osita Chukwu Patrick confirmed the development at the PTML Command, he also expressed disappointment at the situation even as he recounted his ordeal in the hands of some hoodlums that were empowered by the associations to collect the money.
According to him, these fees are supposed to be paid by ANLCA and NAGAFF members, but it is now being extended to all freight forwarders, irrespective of association.
"Up till now they are still taking transaction fees at PTML, they insisted that my vehicles cannot leave the port, at PTML Mile 2, they are still collecting money for every cargo to go out, NAGAFF, ANLCA and Council are all there", he alleged.
Osita pointed out that this is a direct disregard for the powers of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council which had earlier instructed that the collection of transaction fees should stop.
Also speaking with our correspondent, clearing agents at the PTML Mile 2 terminal confirmed that no vehicle can exit the port without paying transaction fees.
A clearing agent, Nathaniel Akherie said that agents pay N200 for their vehicles to leave the terminal. According to him, the money is also being paid at the Five Star Logistics Terminal at the Tin Can port.
"The money is N200 per vehicle and the associations have their boys at the terminal, this has been going on for three years now".
"Sometimes we plead with them when the money is not there"
"The customs are aware of this, but they are minding their business, the associations do not really have office for now, they are pairing up with the customs"
Another agent, Mr. Donatus Nwokolo also confirmed that N200 is paid on each imported vehicle that is set to leave the port, this according to him runs into millions of Naira considering the number of vehicles coming out of the terminal on daily basis.
"The customs is aware of this, the money is being collected with their domain, yet nothing is done about it", he lamented.
Shipping Position Daily however learnt that the illegal collections are being perpetrated without the official approval of the national secretariats of the two associations.
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