NLC Strike: Fresh Crisis Looms Between Clearing Agents, Operators over Waivers

ABIOLA Seun

Fresh face-off between operators and clearing agents operating at the nation’s seaports looms over the demand for four-day waiver by the Association of Nigerian Licenced Customs Agents over the just concluded nationwide strike.

Recall that the nation’s seaports were shut down by the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) in compliance to the directive of the Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) over face off with the federal government on new minimum wage.

But, the clearing agents under the aegis of ANLCA in a statement yesterday demanded that shipping companies and terminal operators should waive all demurrage charges for the four days for which the strike action lasted.

The statement issued by the association and signed by its Vice President, Kayode Farinto argued that his members were unable to carry out any operations for the two working days and weekend which the strike lasted.

The association has subsequently directed all its Chairmen in the Eastern, Western and Northern Zones to ensure that her members are not slammed with demurrages or storage within the stipulated period.

Farinto threatened that the Association will not hesitate to issue a Global trade Alert on any Shipping Company or Terminal Operator that slammed any illegal charges on ANLCA members henceforth.

“Shippers’ Council is hereby charged to live up to her responsibility by ensuring that Nigerian importers are protected”

However, the terminal operator absolved itself from the strike action saying it can’t be responsible for action that also affected its business.

According to a reliable source who craved anonymity, asked if operators get waivers from the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) when paying its lease agreement.

“Is NPA giving us any waivers on lease fee? If we start giving out waivers what will be used to pay our lease fee?” He asked rhetorically.

He stated further that what the terminal operators used what they generate to pay lease fee.

But, the source said the operators are ready to listen to importers on case to case basis.

“Everything is done by case to case basis. They will bring their case forward and we will appraise it,” he said.