NAGAFF tackles PTML over collection of access fees

Members of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) on Friday called on the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Nigerian Shippers Council to caution the management of Ports and Terminal Multiservices Ltd (PTML) over alleged illegal collection of access card fees from freight forwarders in their facility.

NAGAFF expressed worries that it had complained to the port economic regulator and landlord of the ports over alleged high handedness by the terminal operators.

The founder of the association, Dr. Boniface Aniebonam noted that the policy on ease of doing business was not being appreciated by the concessionaire going by the expectation of stakeholders.

According to Aniebonam, NPA is the only agency saddled with the responsibility to imposing levy or charges not tenants like terminal operators.

“The concept of ease of doing business is targeted at removal of human element barriers against smooth clearance of cargo out of Customs control.

“It is also primarily made to create a high level of awareness on port orders and regulations. It is most unfortunate and regrettable that value is not being added to that effect as envisaged.

“In a situation wherein PTML may have become a Government of its own in our ports administration is most unfortunate and sad.

“And for the emphasis, how can PTML management impose fees on freight agents authorised by law to have access to terminals in the course of carrying out their legitimate businesses.

“And for the avoidance of doubts, the Hon. Minister of Transport, Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, had signed into effect and directed that access into the ports terminal for the Freight Forwarders requires CRFFN identification supported by the Nigerian Ports Authority approval.

” It is to our knowledge that it is only NPA that can collect administrative charge for the issuance of port passes. It is therefore to the contrary that a terminal operator should impose an illegal charge with regard to access into the port.

” In reality what PTML management is doing is like asking lawyers to pay fees before they could enter court room.

“The contract terms of the terminal operators does not include or envisage such imposition. It is therefore our opinion that the management of Nigerian Ports Authority and or the commercial regulator agency of the Government should immediately initiate an action to recover all illegal monies collected from the defenceless Port Users and Freight Agents in particular, by the PTML management ever since it commenced the illegal collection. It is our expectation forthwith that the Enforcement Unit of Nigerian Ports Authority and Nigerian Shippers’ Council should move in to dismantle the illegal fees being collected by PTML about 10years ago.

It is also the expectation of the coalition of Freight Agents under the control and regulation of Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to engage the management of PTML to respect the laws governing our country.