Customs Agents accuses Terminal Operators & Shipping Firms of economic Sabotage

The National President of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANCLA), Olayiwole Shittu has accused shipping companies and terminal operators of sabotaging companies and terminal operators of sabotaging the Nigerian economy by charging fees that are unjustifiable thereby increasing the cost of doing business at the nation's ports in favour of other countries.

Olayiwole Shittu stated this when the Managing Director of the Nigerian ports authority (NPA), Ms Hadia Bala Usman paid a courtesy visit to the association in Lagos.

Mr. Shittu said shipping companies and terminal operators have increased charges claiming that the NPA has increased its due.

 He stated that some of the charges include, shipping due, deporting charges, facility charges and others.

He said "There is also the sea protection levy that is also being charged by the Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). At the end these charges are transferred to the consumer, making life unbearable for them.

"Shipping companies and terminal operators are reaping us off. Charging all manner of fees. They believe Nigeria is big and they can get all the money they want from the country to service other West African region.

We have it on good authority that what shipping companies get from Nigeria is what they rely on for survival because of the next to nothing charges they get from other countries in Africa."

 Bala Usman of NPA replied that, the NPA would interact more with stake holders in 2017. "So as to be more in tune with happenings at the various ports."

She added that the NPA has commissioned a study in port charges in West Africa in a bid to revive activities at the Nigerian ports.