Demurrage: Aggrieved Freight Forwarders Close APMT Terminal Gate
CONTAINER TERMINAL
• NAGAFF Task Force boss reacts, invites police
• Leader of group arrested, detained
By Francis Ugwoke
A group of aggrieved freight forwarders on Thursday closed down the gate of the APM Terminal at Apapa port over allegation of demurrage charges on the days of the industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The freight forwarders were protesting against the collection of demurrages at the terminal for the two days seaports were shut by members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) following the NLC strike.
But angered by the action of the agents, officials of the terminal had reported the matter to the Chairman of the Task Force in the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr Ibrahim Tanko.
The aggrieved freight forwarders who noticed that this would lead to some trouble had taken to their heels before Ibrahim could arrive the terminal gate.
It was gathered that Ibrhaim had to invite the Police to arrest one of the agents identified as the leader of the group.
Sources said the agent was still in the police custody as at Thursday evening.
Ibrahim told SHIPPING DAY that the agent claimed to be one of the members of NAGAFF. It was not clear if all members of the group involved are members of NAGAFF.
However, Ibrahim who spoke to our Correspondent on phone condemned the action of the agents, saying that they took the law into their hands.
He explained that the Task Force believes in due process, adding that the aggrieved agents were wrong in their action.
According to him, the agents ought to have reported the matter and not to close the gate of the terminal.
He also disclosed that his Task Force would have taken the matter up officially with the terminal operator involved through correspondence and dialogue to ensure the issue was addressed.
When asked if the Task Force had reached out to terminal operators not to charge demurrage on the days of the strike, he said all shipping service providers were aware of this that importers and their agents cannot pay for services not rendered.
He disclosed that no customs agents has told him that he was charged demurrage for the two days of the strike by the NLC.
• Leader of group arrested, detained
By Francis Ugwoke
A group of aggrieved freight forwarders on Thursday closed down the gate of the APM Terminal at Apapa port over allegation of demurrage charges on the days of the industrial action declared by the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC).
The freight forwarders were protesting against the collection of demurrages at the terminal for the two days seaports were shut by members of the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN) following the NLC strike.
But angered by the action of the agents, officials of the terminal had reported the matter to the Chairman of the Task Force in the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr Ibrahim Tanko.
The aggrieved freight forwarders who noticed that this would lead to some trouble had taken to their heels before Ibrahim could arrive the terminal gate.
It was gathered that Ibrhaim had to invite the Police to arrest one of the agents identified as the leader of the group.
Sources said the agent was still in the police custody as at Thursday evening.
Ibrahim told SHIPPING DAY that the agent claimed to be one of the members of NAGAFF. It was not clear if all members of the group involved are members of NAGAFF.
However, Ibrahim who spoke to our Correspondent on phone condemned the action of the agents, saying that they took the law into their hands.
He explained that the Task Force believes in due process, adding that the aggrieved agents were wrong in their action.
According to him, the agents ought to have reported the matter and not to close the gate of the terminal.
He also disclosed that his Task Force would have taken the matter up officially with the terminal operator involved through correspondence and dialogue to ensure the issue was addressed.
When asked if the Task Force had reached out to terminal operators not to charge demurrage on the days of the strike, he said all shipping service providers were aware of this that importers and their agents cannot pay for services not rendered.
He disclosed that no customs agents has told him that he was charged demurrage for the two days of the strike by the NLC.
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