No Going Back On Registration Fee, Shippers’ Council Tells Critics

Abiola Seun |

The Executive Secretary of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Barr. Hassan Bello has told critics of the newly introduced registration policy of no going back saying there are enormous benefits inherent for stakeholders.

Speaking to newsmen on the sideline of the conferment of fellowship of the Charted Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT) by the national president of the institute, Ibrahim Jibrin in Lagos, Bello said those who are kicking against the policy are only being ignorant of the benefits the registration seeks to achieve.

He explained that the registration fee is an administrative cost, which many stakeholders are already keying into.

Bello described as false, report that importers have threatened to abandon Nigerian ports for neighbouring ports and that the registration fee will add to cost of doing business at the port.

He said, “All this is nothing but lies, we just said people should register so that we know them and add value to what they are doing. Has that become something of controversy?” He asked rhetorically.

“The law says register, the fees is not our concern but we want to know where you are, if clearing agents register, we will make sure that there is no unnecessary charges like container deposit because we will guarantee the clearing agents that wherever they are sending the consignment we know the company that are taking that. Is it not a benefit to the person who registers and so many other services we are going to render to the people?”

The Shippers’ Council boss also said it had continued to engage stakeholders and had also reviewed downward the registration fee.

“We have embarked on registration of stakeholders within the port as our laws have said. This registration is on knowing your customer basis and because of the benefits, which accrue from registration, we have been engaging with stakeholders.

“There were initially the issues of fees, which we have reduced to the barest minimum so that it will just be administrative cost and many people have registered. Unfortunately, we have noticed a lone ranger who is going about with campaign of calumny trying to say they are not going to register.

“I think that is blatant ignorance. People must register so that they will enjoy the services that are being offered. We will rally round to see that there is minimum presence of human beings at the ports so that our ports are efficient and transparent and automated. I am using this opportunity to call on all stakeholders to come and register with the Council,” Bello said.