Port users and shipping agency companies are currently groaning over the recent increase of tariff on cargoes imported from across the world into Port Harcourt Port.
The group under the aegis of Shipping Trade Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (STPAON) said that tariff at the terminal was recently reviewed from N8 million to N89 million.
Mr Babalola James, acting Spokesman of STPAON told newsmen in Port Harcourt on Sunday that the over 1,000 per cent increment had grounded economic activities at the port.
He gave the Port and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited (PTOL) 48 hours window to revert to the old tariff which the company jettisoned on April 1.
“The Federal Government which gave concession rights to PTOL to manage the Port Harcourt port mandated the company to always engage port stakeholders on any policy change.
“But regrettable, PTOL went ahead and increased the rate on April 1 without following the stipulated Act that gave it the concession right.
“As an association, we are saying that PTOL does not have the legal right to increase tariff arbitrarily without engaging with port stakeholders.
At the meeting, James claimed that PTOL management agreed with stakeholders to inaugurate a standing joint committee to examine the new tariff increase.
According to him, the committee later resolved that PTOL revert back to status-quo on the new tariff as well as refund all excess payments already paid by some of STPAON members.
“The committee also resolved that PTOL should provide seamless port services devoid of delays in order to facilitate and actualise ease of doing business at the ports.
“Unfortunately, PTOL had refused to implement the agreement reached by the joint committee to ensure industrial harmony.
“STPAON hereby gives 48 hours ultimatum to PTOL to implement the agreement as agreed by the joint committee,” he said.
The STPAON spokesman said that failure by PTOL to implement the agreement would result in the association seeking redress in court.
James said the actions of PTOL had denied the Federal Government billions in lost revenue from port services.
“We call on the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, Executive Secretary of NSC, Hassan Bello, NPA, EFCC and DSS, among others to intervene on the matter,” he appealed.
On his part, the Patron STPAON, Kingsley Nwulu said the actions of PTOL had increased the financial burden on citizens and businesses at the Port Harcourt port.
He advised the company to operate within the limited price provided to them in the concession agreement.
“Even NPA itself runs the port on subsidised rate, so that any cargo that comes in the port Nigerians can afford to get those cargoes.
“This is why in the lease agreement, it was stated clearly that PTOL should communicate any tariff increase through writing to NPA and NSC to make recommendations,” he added.
