SIFAX grants six-day demurrage waiver to Customs Brokers

By ZION Olalekan |

The SIFAX Group, an indigenous shipping conglomerate and owners of Ports and Cargo Handling Company, has conceded six-day waiver on all the consignments trapped at the terminal during the nine-day strike action by the protesting truck drivers.

The Tin Can Island Chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) brokered this concession out of the nine days the strike lasted on behalf of its members in a meeting with the management of the indigenous operators

The waiver also covers six days of storage charges, even as the terminal has assured the agents that all containers would be positioned for examination by Saturday and Sunday.

In a statement issued by the National Publicity Secretary of ANLCA, Mr. Joe Sanni, the nine days strike embarked upon by truck owners has had a resultant effect of accumulated cargoes and charges which is presently taking its toll on all maritime stakeholders and port users.

“Consequent upon this congestion and crisis situation, the Prince Segun Oduntan-led executives of Tin Can Chapter of ANLCA met with the management of Ports and Cargo, to plead for waivers and consideration for assisting to reduce the losses being experienced by Customs Brokers and importers.

“They have been assured of waiving six days storage charges out of the nine days of strike, and a commitment to cut back on the back log, by working through Saturday and Sunday, in order to bring the situation under control.

“Members of ANLCA are therefore encouraged to take advantage of this opportunity to clear their cargoes out of the Ports, while pleading with other chapters executives to approach both the shipping companies and terminal operators to make some concessions too”, he said.