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Freight forwarders operating across Lagos seaports have continued their protest over the controversial shipping charges, even as efforts to verify whether shipping companies complied with the directive of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to suspend the charges have been hampered by the ongoing shutdown of shipping companies’ business operations.
News Diet findings revealed that while the Council had earlier announced a suspension of the charges, the disruption of activities at the offices of major shipping companies by protesting freight forwarders has made it difficult to confirm whether the directive was actually implemented across the board.
According to the protesting freight forwarders, the ongoing picketing and withdrawal of services were not aimed at undermining port operations but rather to compel both the regulator and the shipping companies to provide clear and verifiable information on the status of the charges.
In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Emmanuel C. Onyeme, the association maintained that the protest would continue until stakeholders are formally engaged and given a clear explanation on the implementation or otherwise of the charges.
The statement also expressed concern that the NSC press statement on the suspension wasn’t signed by any official, leaving the freight forwarders worried that the Council may be leaving a loophole for shipping companies to exploit.
Freight forwarders said the situation has heightened tension among port users, many of whom remain unsure whether the charges have been suspended or are still being applied by the affected shipping companies.
The associations therefore reiterated their call for the Honourable Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, to urgently intervene and convene a stakeholders’ meeting that would bring together freight forwarders, shipping companies, and the regulator to resolve the issue.
They also insisted that while they are not opposed to legitimate adjustments in shipping charges, due process and proper consultation must be followed in order to avoid further disruption to port operations and the wider logistics value chain.
The freight forwarders maintained that the protest would remain peaceful but firm until clarity is achieved, warning that continued uncertainty over the charges could further affect confidence in Nigeria’s maritime sector if not addressed promptly.
