NAGAFF calls for calm among agitating freight forwarders over controversial access fees at PTML

The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has urged the agitating freight forwarders to exercise restraint over their planned open confrontation with the management of Ports and Terminal Multi Services Limited (PTML ) to protest the imposition of the controversial access fees.

The management of the PTML has allegedly imposed an access fee of N10,000 on all the freight forwarders wishing to transact business in the terminal.

The imposition of the fee, which was used to issue identity cards that gives them access into the terminal, was said to have been on for a very long time.

Though, most of the freight forwarders have been grumbling over what they regarded as illegal fees, but they seemed helpless.

However, they suddenly found their voices after NAGAFF made an official complaint to the Nigerian Shippers Council and the Nigerian Ports Authority, the two agencies of government which were reported to have opened an investigation into the matter.

However, it seemed the agitating freight forwarders wanted to resort to self help before NAGAFF immediately called them to order.

According to the group, the call has become imperative to avert the likely consequences of any form of protest or demonstration as disgruntled elements could hijack the genuine struggle of the agitating freight forwarders to wreak havoc.

In a press statement made available to nigeriamaritime360.com, the freight forwarders association asked the affected agents to shun violence and exercise restraint as the association has opened a dialogue with the management of PTML to resolve the impasse.

“NAGAFF is already in talks with the Federal Ministry of

Transport and some agencies of Government like the Nigerian Shippers Council, NPA as well as other relevant agencies towards bringing this illegality to an end.

“We are also holding talks with our legal team as to

establish the culpability of the affected company with a

view to recouping all monies illegally collected from our members in the name of procuring the so-called Port Access/Identity Card.

“We wish to put it on record that we are in touch with the management of PTML towards finding a common ground over the lingering issues”

It was further learnt that the Founder of NAGAFF, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam and the Managing
Director of PTML Mr. Ascanio Russo are in discussion over this matter and both leaders are determined to take advantage of this window of negotiations to lay the matter to rest.

” As a matter of fact , Dr. Aniebonam has also been making personal contact with major stakeholders in the
industry towards putting the matter behind us.

“We therefore appeal to the authorities of PTML to work in line with the terms of the concessioning agreement and in obedience to the laws of Nigeria. We wish to reiterate that no progress can be made in an atmosphere of impunity and chaos.

“NAGAFF is hereby calling on our members to avoid any act capable of inciting violence as we believe in fighting our battles in the boardroom of cerebral display of knowledge, instead of going physical which has no
place in modern day trade dispute negotiations. We are confident that this matter will soon be resolved amicably”.