As controversies continue to trail the directive by Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), NAGAFF and others to stop collection of all forms of levies within port premises, there are indications that ANLCA chapter at Onne Port has continued to flagrantly disobey the directive.
As controversies continue to trail the directive by Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), NAGAFF and others to stop collection of all forms of levies within port premises, there are indications that ANLCA chapter at Onne Port has continued to flagrantly disobey the directive.
Shipping Position Daily correspondent at Onne port in River state gathered that ANLCA has consistently disregarded the initial directive by Shippers Council and had insisted on collecting the fees, saying that it is the practicing fee that is payable only by its members.
Our correspondent learnt that the development may has irked the South-South Zonal office of the Shippers’ Council, and recently invited all the maritime stakeholders including the chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport Chapter to an emergency meeting to deliberate on compliance to the directives.
Addressing the meeting in his office in Port Harcourt, Mr. Maurice Effanga, South-South Zonal Coordinator of NSC, who spoke through Mr. C. C Akujobi, Head of Operations, expressed worry over the alleged report of continued collection of such levies within the Onne seaport area.
He reiterated the dangers of collection of any form of levy within the port, stating that it will constitute bottleneck to speedy clearance of cargo at the port.
According to him, the Council is not against ANLCA collecting whatever form of levy from its members as agreed, but it device a means of collecting such money outside Onne Port area such that it does not constitute any traffic challenge to other port users.
“NSC has advised that such collection should not be at the port area. Let them know how to do it outside the port. Very soon NSC will use all available but legal means to stop such collections within the port”, the spokesman said.
On his part, Nze Theordore Ejezie, Chairman of ANLCA, Onne Seaport, who led other executive members of ANLCA to the meeting agreed to stop collection of such fees at the port area. He said his association will find alternative ways of collecting the fees from her members only, stating that it is practicing fees that ANLCA members agreed to pay to the association.
The ANLCA boss at Onne seaport also denied receipt of any letter from the council on the matter, noting that this may have informed the continued collection of the levy within the port area.
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