ANLCA threatens to issue global alert over illegal ports charges

Tayo Oladipupo

The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has called on shipping companies and terminal operators in Nigerian ports to make the two days NLC strike lasted in Nigeria as free demurrage days.

In a statement signed by the Vice President of the association, Dr. Kayode Farinto on Monday, the group threatened to issue a global trade alert on the terminal operators and shipping companies if they slam any illegal charge on its members for the days of the warning strike.

The association also condemned the justification of the maritime police on stopping of cleared container on the roads.

The statement argued that the police press release was concocted to deceive and lend credence to its illegalities before the stakeholders.

The association among others wants terminal operators and shipping companies to drop storage and demurrage charges between Thursday and Sunday when the strike action lasted.

“That our association will not hesitate to issue Global Trade Alert on any shipping company or terminal operator that slammed (sic) any illegal charges (sic) on our members henceforth.

“That Shippers’ Council is hereby charge (sic) to live up to her responsibility by ensuring that Nigerian Shippers are protected.

“Finally, we have carefully studied the press release by the maritime police and believe that the Nigeria maritime police are just making the illegal act of stopping of consignments from delivery to look legitimate before the stakeholders,” it stated.

According to the association, the maritime police is becoming a clog in the wheel of cargo clearance in the port.

Farinto however called that the maritime police be merged with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) police even as he said that every query on container should be directed through the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) as enshrined in the Customs Excise Management Act.