Dr. Muda Yusuf (Former DG, LCCI)
The demurrages should be waived by the terminal operators. They should also show some concern. People should do business with a human face. The terminal operators are making a whole lot of money in that place. When there is a crisis like this which is beyond their power. It is a force majeure kind of. How can you hold the importers liable? The Terminal Operators and shipping companies should be a bit more sympathetic to the plight of those operating that sector. They are doing a lot of things because they are more or less like monopolies. If it was a system that has lots of competition, they will not be treating importers and other stakeholders the way they are treating them. Sometimes when there are faults arising from their own systems slowing down things, they still charge people for demurrage. It is unfair.
Babatunde Mukaila (National Secretary, ANLCA)
The National headquarters of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agent is working with Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to get waivers across board with all terminals and shipping lines.
Rev. Jonathan Nicole (President, SALS)
The shipping lines have agreed to look into waivers because it is something beyond the agents and it is a policy that came all of a sudden. This is the kind of spirit we want; where people have human faces for one another. If the shipping lines could do some waivers, I think they will extend that to the terminals, so that they will also do some waivers. That is what we believe will eventually happen.
Frank Obiekezie (National Secretary, AREFFN)
Agents fight for the importers who bear the blunt. In our clime, shipping companies are private organizations and the terminals have been concessioned, the government may not have that power or coverage to mandate them to waive this or that. NPA is no longer in authority. But if the terminal operators and shipping companies are also aware that the agents are also fighting for their business. If importers are not bringing in goods again, it will affect both the terminals and shipping companies. I think it should be an issue that should be discussed and a middle point is reached. It should be discussed further between both parties. Everything is geared towards shipping and cargo. All the stakeholders, one way or the order have to be involved.
David Etim (Deputy President, Calabar Chamber of CIMA)
When there is a dispute in international trade, all issues pertaining to penalty are suspended. The clearing agents are not the owners of the cargo. They are only service providers. The shipping companies and terminal operators cannot penalize the consignees because the consignees are not a party to that dispute, but they are victims of it. In actual fact, from the part of the consignees, it is a force majeure which is an act of God beyond the control of the consignees. The consignees cannot force Customs to reverse its position and also the clearing agents to go to work.
What we should be talking about is getting the shipping companies and terminal operators to recognize and understand that the consignees are the victims of this stalemate. They should apply the doctrine of Force Majeure which means all penalties are suspended pending the resolution of the dispute. Shipping companies and terminal operators should suspend all demurrage charges accrued during this period of dispute pending the resolution of the dispute.
Dr. Segun Musa (Deputy National President, NAGAFF)
We have a good working relationship with the terminal operators and definitely, they are going to do a kind of waiver for us on the demurrages because we are in this together. I am sure they know the importance of giving us a waiver. We don’t like to start another strike.
Ojo Peter Akintoye (Clearing Agent)
As a matter of fact, what we are trying to do and the reason behind our strike is not fighting for our interest alone. It is when a business is viable that shipping companies and terminals can also do business in the country. If what are fighting for is eventually implemented, it is going to improve the importation of vehicles in Nigeria. And if that happens, it has an implied effect on the shipping companies and terminals. We are fighting for the interest of everybody.
We don’t need to beg them for waiver. They should have in mind that we are a symbol of both the importer, shipping lines and terminal operators. Grimaldi said they have about 12,000 vehicles waiting, because there is no delivery for the past few weeks. The turnover is also part of what we are fighting for. They shouldn’t see is as the fight of freight forwarders alone, but for the interest of everyone in that shade.
