SIFAX Group Chairman, Taiwo Afolabi
Importers and clearing agents have frowned on the current charges launched by Ports and Cargo Handling Services, a subsidiary of SIFAX Group, on all cargoes going out of its terminal to different bonded terminals.
The Guardian gathered that the terminal operator simply launched a ‘Royalty’ cost of N121, 565 per 40foot container and N62, 361 per 20foot container on all cargoes going out of its terminal to bonded terminals from May 21, 2018.
The new cost is nevertheless not relevant to containers going to all SIFAX bonded and off-dock terminals.
When contacted for enquiries, the Corporate Affairs Manager of Sifax Group, Muyiwa Akande, promised to get again to The Guardian, however didn't reply as at press time.
Indiscriminate introduction of arbitrary charges by terminal operators has been an order of the day in Lagos ports (the busiest within the nation), whilst importers and clearing agents have continued to groan underneath the burden these unlawful charges.
Head, Special Duty, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Emma Agubanze, advised The Guardian that they might not settle for such unlawful charges, threatening to make use of all obtainable mercenaries to withstand the motion.
He mentioned: “What they're doing is an illegality of arbitrary charges. We have legal guidelines and rules on this nation and such obeyed by operators together with the terminal operators, customs and even the freight forwarders.
Sifax has no authority to do such a factor and there are folks which are already complaining concerning the operation of the terminal operators. He mentioned they should have sought the approval of the NSC.
“They can't declare to have any additional service within the motion of container to off dock facility. Whatever service they may render is already factored within the transire. Before, you progress cargoes out of their terminal you'll have to pay dealing with charges.
Note that cargoes don't fly into their terminal, some folks directed these cargoes to their terminals, so will gather all their dealing with charges.
“What they are trying to do now is to introduce additional charges, which is unacceptable to shippers and freight forwarders and we will resist it with all available instrument at our control,” he mentioned.
An importer, Keneth Johnson, who spoke to The Guardian in Tin Can Island port, urged the terminal operator to reverse the charges within the curiosity of the nationwide financial system.
Johnson mentioned the frequent introduction of charges on the Lagos port have negatively affected companies at a time when the Federal Government claims to be pursuing the Ease of Doing Business agenda.
Chairman, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA) Tin Can Island Chapter, Prince Segun Oduntan, appealed to Sifax to reverse the charges, describing it as a monopolistic incrimination.
He mentioned the brand new charges would have critical penalties of on the agents and importers as a result of it signifies that people who didn't patronize them should pay further charges for off dock providers.
Oduntan mentioned the brand new coverage could be detrimental to personal firms which have invested billions of naira into establishing off dock amenities, and jeopardise continued existence of such companies.
He faulted the Federal Government for granting license to an operator with current facility contained in the port, including that this concept is not going to give room for survival of different operators with out terminals within the port.