Harboursandport.com: Lagos --- The
Nigerian Ports Authority, NPA, shipping companies, terminal operators, as well
as security operatives are smiling to the bank As the chaotic traffic situation
persist around Apapa area of Lagos.
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| Managing Director of NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman |
Harboursandport.com gathered that NPA benefits from the bad
traffic situation as it collects berthing dues from all ships coming into the
nation’s port for the use of its berthing facilities while the shipping
companies as well as terminal operators are smiling to the banks daily by
slamming demurrages on importers and their agents.
Harboursandport.com gathered that while port users are bearing
the brunt of the traffic situation around the port area, shipping companies and
terminal operators have continued to slam demurrages on port users for no fault
of theirs.
Harboursandport.com findings show that some containers shipped
into the country on the 17th of June, by Hapag Lloyd Shipping with all charges
and duties paid for, including fee for the transfer of the containers to SCOA
terminal at Kirikiri town is still stranded at the port. As at yesterday, the
consignment is yet to be transferred while berthing dues and demurrages
continue to grow.
An agent, Nicholas Uzodima, told Vanguard that his container
berthed over a month ago with all the charges and duties paid, yet he cannot
take delivery of the consignment.
According to Uzodima, three days after the arrival of the
consignment, the importer is expected to start paying N3,500 and after seven
days, the rate goes up to N7,000 and then N10,000 after 14 days.
Reacting to the development, Assistant General Manager, AGM,
Corporate Communications, NPA, Isa Suwaid, said that the NPA collects berthing charges
for as long as a vessel stays at its berth, however, it does not deliberately
delay ships in order to collect more charges.
He however stated that he is not aware if the NPA gives
concession to affected ship owners.
Suwaid said, “If a vessel berths at our port, we have to collect
our berthing charges but I can assure you that delay on berthing or discharge
of vessel is never deliberate. As a corporate responsible citizen we should not
be seen to be deliberately delaying a ship that berths because we want to
collect more revenue.”
Source:
Vanguard Newspaper
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