Group laments frustration of export trade by shipping lines

Tayo Oladipupo |

The All Ports Unified Freight Forwarding Practitioners Association has expressed worries over alleged frustration of export trade by shipping companies and terminal operators in Nigeria.

The group also alleged additional levies are imposed on importers aside the requisite fees which often leads to delay in exportation of goods from the terminals.

President of the new association, Prince Mike Okorie disclosed this in Lagos yesterday, during a roundtable meeting with members of the Association of Maritime Journalists of Nigeria (AMJON).

Okorie, who noted that the port concession agreement between the federal government and investors was supposed to address issues of bottlenecks associated with clearance of cargoes from the port, added that much has not been achieved in line with efficiency in port operations.

He lamented that Nigerian exports are rejected overseas due to delay in documentation and lack of infrastructures at the terminals saying some goods get spoilt on transit due to delay caused by shipping lines before take-off.

“We also have members who engage in exportation of food stuffs and if these commodities stay long before shipping commences, then it is a problem.

“Take for instance, beans, this is one commodity that is supposed to be given easy access at the port for onward shipping overseas but the concessionaires and shipping lines with their frivolous charges make things difficult for us.

“Beans is very peculiar because most of the cargoes laden with beans are returned back to the country due to delay in Nigerian ports.”

The President further alleged that shipping companies have devised means to rip Nigerian shippers and freight agents off by imposing arbitrary charges, which in turn have led to rejection of Nigeria exports.

He added that export can equate import only if the government can encourage shippers through policies that can boost international trade.

“We are not here to indict anybody but the truth is that government should encourage exportation.”

Speaking further, Okorie frowned at the gridlock along the port corridors pointing out that the association is set to engage the government on how to address some of the anomalies.

According to him, the government needs to revive operational activities at the eastern port in a bid to strike a balance and create competitiveness and enabling business environment.

“It is the responsibility of the federal government to make all ports in Nigeria to be viable and competitive,” he quipped.