Similarly, it is being lamented by local operators in haulage business that foreign participation in maritime trade is taking its toll on haulage business. They alleged that a private transport company is hijacking jobs meant for local operators.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that a Lebanese firm (identity withheld) has been alleged to be manipulation shipping companies to collect haulage jobs from other Nigerian haulage firms.
Similarly, it is being lamented by local operators in haulage business that foreign participation in maritime trade is taking its toll on haulage business. They alleged that a private transport company is hijacking jobs meant for local operators.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that a Lebanese firm (identity withheld) has been alleged to be manipulation shipping companies to collect haulage jobs from other Nigerian haulage firms.
According to the constitution of Nigerian Association Road Transport Owners (NARTO), no transport company is expected to handle a vessel with general cargoes alone, rather it is expected that at least four companies should be involved in the handling.
However since 2014, the foreign firm has allegedly been able to work into the heart of some of the importers to handle vessels solely.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that the foreign firm has single-handedly handled five ships in the last five months without any other participation by Nigerian transport companies.
However, one of the aggrieved truck owners who handles general cargo told one of our correspondents in Lagos that the Nigerian Shippers Council should intervene in the matter before it escalates.
Alhaji Yinusa Raji Abiodun, who spoke on behalf aggrieved transporters, lampooned the national executives of NARTO over negligence on the development.
Raji lamented that in time past a vessel with general cargoes are attached to three to four trucks, but regretted that things have changed in recent time.
He reiterated that "from 2013 this business change because one particular transporter, who is
is also a member of NARTO, no company has the right to handle a ship alone, rather it has to be three to four vehicles"
"Surprisingly since last year the firm is doing all BUA jobs involving rice at ENL terminal at the Lagos port"
He disclosed that the transport firm has handled five ships alone which ordinarily is meant for five trucks.
Speaking further, he added that a small vessel can discharge its cargoes on 500 trucks while a big ship takes at least 750 trucks to aid discharge cargoes; pointing out that the foreign transport firm is currently handling a large chunk of the jobs alone.
"We have been working for BUA before this firm came on board, we are about seven companies doing the job for BUA before it came on board and things have changed ,making things difficult for us"
He said NARTO forbids one haulage firm to handle a ship and the members have been able to draw the attention of the association executives to the matter without any concrete solution.
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