Even as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been granted approval by the Federal Executive Council to act as the commercial regulator of port activities, freight forwarding associations in the sector have charged the council not to disappoint operators.
Even as the Nigerian Shippers’ Council has been granted approval by the Federal Executive Council to act as the commercial regulator of port activities, freight forwarding associations in the sector have charged the council not to disappoint operators.
In a chat with Shipping Position Daily in Lagos yesterday, Tin Can Island chapter Chairman of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA); Prince Kayode Oyinlola pointed out that the association, alongside other stakeholders had clamoured for the council to be empowered to correct the excesses of terminal operators and shipping companies.
"We have been clamouring for it, and even before this official pronouncement, Shippers’ Council has been acting as a regulator, now that they have officially been named the regulator, we hope they will make a difference, now that the power has been given to them, we believe they should be able to bite, unlike what it was before", he said.
Oyinlola also pledged the support of clearing agents in ensuring that service providers are made to comply with the directives given by the council.
"If officially they have been given the power by FEC, and terminal operators are not obeying what the council is saying, then they can now revert back to us and we will be the supporter of the action they want to take" he assured
Also speaking with our correspondent, President of Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) Dr. Frank Ukor charged the council to ensure that it looks inward and determine the problems confronting operators and find solution to them.
Ukor said that a lot of business interests are looking up to the council for support and redress, and they will not keep quiet, should the council fail to meet their demands.
"We have all been clamouring for the council to become the regulator, now that government has assented to it, it’s laudable", he stated.
"If the council refuses to meet with our requirements, of course we will shout, but I don't think the terminal operators, as powerful as they are, can challenge the council" he said.
Also reacting to the development, the national coordinator, Save Nigerian Freight Forwarders Importers Exporters Coalition; Chief Osita Patrick said the development is long over-due.
He added that with the Shippers’ Council new status, the terminal operators have no options than to listen to the council
Osita affirmed that the decision made by the government to confer the status on the Shippers’ Council is of good interest to the maritime industry.
He however called on all key stakeholders to support the council to achieve greatness and affirmed the support of his group for the Shippers’ Council.
He also lauded the effort of the executive secretary of the Council; Mr Hassan Bello for what he called, his doggedness and resilience in ensuring that the council fills the vacuum.
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