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Shippers’ council’s activities not limited to seaport

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) on Thursday disclosed that the council’s activities were not limited to the seaport, but interested on cargo and protection of shippers even at airports.

Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, NSC made this known when the President Airfreight Stakeholders’ Forum, Mr Toyin Onifade led his members on a courtesy visit to the NSC’s Headquarters in Lagos

Jime also sought for synergy to achieve the common goal of promoting seamless trade and creating enabling environment for businesses to strife.

“I want to disabuse people’s thinking that our activities is limited to the seaport, this is not so, our interest is the cargo and the protection of interest of shippers.

“By shippers, this means people that work for export and import and of course using all modes of transportation, weather land, sea or air,” he said.

Jime noted that as ports economic regulator, NSC want businesses to be done seamlessly in both the seaports and airports in the country.

He pledged that the council would continuously support and nurture activities of the forum as the forum plays very important role on issues bordering on freight and cargo at the airports.

The NSC boss stressed on the need to ensure proper packaging of exports for various international markets.

Earlier, Onifade said that the maritime industry when harnessed was capable of generating 500,000 additional labours for the country.

According to him, this is talking about those from the farm, receiving from the farmers, transporters, shipping it out and even packaging which are the issues international markets were complaining about.

“We need to work together, diversify and ensure that the country moved our exports away from oil to face others sectors.

“We also understand that there are standard conditions for which goods must be produced, packaged before it gets to the final destination.

“We are working earnestly to meet those minimum standards to ensure that Nigeria can be rated high. We cannot do it alone and so seek the support of the council,” he said.

Onifade promised to work together to ensure that they followed the ideals of government in promoting and diversifying the country’s export trade.

He added that presently things had eased at the airport, as the various police formations had been removed and goods now move out of the airport in safe time.

Recall that the shippers council and Airfreight Stakeholders’ Forum had jointly organised series of workshops and interactions for stakeholders on topical issues on exports and airfreight business in the country.

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Nigeria reaffirms Shippers’ Council as port economic regulator

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Dr Magdalene Ajani,  the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, on Friday reiterated that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) remained the only port economic regulator.

Ajani made the pronouncement at the sensitisation seminar with the theme: “Promoting Competitiveness in the Maritime Industry: The Mandate of Nigerian Shippers’ Council,” in Lagos.

She noted that the Federal Government in 2015 declared the council as the port economic regulator.

Ajani said that as the port economic regulator, NSC was saddled with the responsibility to institute effective regulation at ports, working with other government agencies.

She, however, enjoined all stakeholders in the maritime industry to give the council the needed cooperation and support.

“I want us to note that while shippers council is the port economic regulator, the Nigerian Ports Authority remains the technical and operational regulator. This is very key so that we understand the distinct role between the two agencies.

“Having realised that these two agencies are working within the mandate of the law of Nigeria, we, therefore, urge all those in court to have a rethink.

“This is for us to enable a good progression in the marine ecosystem and deliver the Nigerian economy of our dream,” she said.

Ajani said that the council port economic regulatory mandate and rules should be reflected in the port concession agreement under review and other subsequent agreement.

“Relying on the sub-existing order on the port economic regulation as issued by the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, I hereby reaffirm that the Nigerian Shippers’Council remains the interim port economic regulator in our nation’s port.

“This is pending the establishment and operationalisation of the national transport commission as an independent regulatory authority in the transport sector,” she said.

Ajani recalled that the nation’s port prior to 2006 port concession agreement had the lowest level of efficiency with anomalies such as imposition of different tariffs and shortage of modern cargo handling equipment, among others.

She noted that the NSC was appointed as an interim port economic regulator in 2014 to fill the vacuum and address the challenges bedeviling the port system.

Ajani said that the major objective of government in appointing the NSC as  an interim port economic regulator was to create an effective regulatory regime at the port.

“The port economic regulator organ as gazetted has provided for various functions and roles of the council in line with the provisions of section 3c, f and j of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council Act cap 133 Law of the Federation 2004,” she said.

Earlier, Mr Emmanuel Jime, the Executive Secretary, NSC, noted that the port as a critical infrastructure needed to be competitive and should not be for free entry and exit.

According to Jime, this is in order for its users to enjoy the benefit of lower prices and efficient service delivery usually associated competition.

“It is against this backdrop that the Federal Government of Nigeria, pursuant to the Nigerian Shippers Council Act Cap N133 LFN 2004, appointed NSC as the Ports Economic Regulator.

“The aim is to create an effective regulatory regime at the Nigerian ports for control of tariffs, rates, charges and other related economic services, make the transportation sector efficient and contribute positively to the development of the nation’s economy,” he said

Jime noted that the council could only achieve its mandate with the support and collaboration of all players in the industry.

Also Bongo Adi, Professor of Development Economics and Data Analytics, Lagos Business School, said that the port system was a natural monopolistic system and needed regulation to protect public interest.

Speaking on the theme, Adi lamented that the council could not regulate effectively due to pre-concession issues.

He called for an introduction of standards of operations for operators in the market space to make NSC regulation easier.

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Shippers Council promises to resolve APMT, maritime workers issue

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has pledged to engage the management of AP Moller Terminal (APMT) to resolve issues with the Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria (MWUN).

The Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, made this known in a statement signed by Mrs Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju, Head, Public Relations, NSC.

Jime who paid an advocacy visit to Mr Adewale Adeyanju, the President General, MWUN, on Thursday promised to resolve the issue.

“I plead with you to give me sometime to achieve this,” Jime said.

Responding, Adeyanju commended the management of NSC for various efforts in the maritime industry.

Adeyanju expressed disappointment in poor retirement package Terminal management and poor retirement package APMT gives its employees.

Adeyanju expressed disappointment in the attitude of APMT management and poor retirement package to its employees.

He told Jime that the union would look into his request and described Jime as an ambassador of peace.

Also, the District chairman, APMT, Mr Tunde Balogun expressed displeasure over employment of foreign workers instead of Nigerians by the company.

Balogun decried the demotion of staff and employment of unqualified workers in order to accommodate expatriates in higher positions of the organisation.

He also bemoaned the discriminatory payment structure of the organisation.

The union on July 20 shut down operations at the APM Terminals in Apapa.

The MWUN is seeking to correct issues of poor welfare packages and anti-labour activities by the APMT management.

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Shippers’ council seeks interface with shipping lines

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has urged shipping companies to appoint desk officers to enable smooth interface between both parties

The Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, made the call in a statement in Lagos on Friday.

The statement was signed by the Head, Public Relations of the Council, Rakiya Dhikru-Yagboyaju.

Jime is quoted as making the proposal when he led the agency’s management on a courtesy visit to CMA CGM Nigeria Shipping Limited in Lagos.

He said that the desk officers would share with NSC challenges facing them in their operations.

Jime said that NSC, as Port Economic Regulator, wants seamless operations for service providers and their customers.

He commended the company for embracing digitisation in its operations, noting that shippers’ council was delighted with the equipment currently in use by CMA CGM at their facility.

According to the council’s helmsman, NSC is promoting Vehicle Transit Areas (VTAs) and Inland Dry Ports (IDPs) to aid the development of transport infrastructure in the country.

In his response, the Managing Director of CMA CGM, Mr Lionel Odeyer, expressed appreciation for the visit by NSC’s management.

He identified deplorable access roads to the ports, congestion and delay experienced in returning empties as challenges facing the business in Nigeria.

Odeyer sought the support and partnership of NSC for sensitisation of shippers.

He said the development of Lekki Deep Seaport would aid the shipping trade in Nigeria, describing it as a game-changer.

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Shippers’ council, NPA move against touts from port corridor

The Nigerian Shipper’s Council (NSC), on Thursday in Lagos, said non-state actors (touts) would be removed from the corridor of the port.

Mr Emmanuel Jime, Executive Secretary, NSC, said to achieve this, the council would collaborate with the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and the Lagos State Task Force Team.

He made this known during a meeting with the Council of Maritime Transport Unions and Associations (COMTUA), NSC, NPA and Lagos State Task Force Team.

Jime, who was represented by Mr Cajetan Agu, Director, Consumer Affairs, NSC, noted that removing the touts would reduce extortion on the port corridor.

“We are here today to address issues being raised by COMTUA which has to do with the Eto call-up system, harassment and extortion being experienced at the port corridor.

“There should be decorum in terms of traffic management because whatever is being experienced by the truckers in terms of cost or otherwise is passed to the importer and thus results in increase in prices of goods,” he said.

As regards Eto, Jime said its purpose was to remove human interface and thereby fight extortion, adding that the agencies involved would sit down and discuss ways to address the issue.

He urged truckers to note that the call-up should be on need basis by terminals, “stay in approved parks until called, shun giving bribes, always call the Lagos State Traffic Management Authority when trucks break down.”

Jime stressed that enforcement teams should be moving around to have an experience of what the truckers are complaining about and to ensure sanity on the port corridor.

Mr Anda Emmanuel, Principal Manager, NPA, representing TinCan Port Manager, noted that the authority had launched bikers that would go round to monitor obstruction and gridlock on the port corridor.

Emmamuel noted that it was true that there were illegal checkpoints and they had brought it to the notice of the authority for action.

As regards Eto, he said it was work in progress, adding that the truckers should understand that there was time belt for everything, empty containers, exports and others.

“Truckers should not try to cheat the system because they will be caught and we will block all leakages and ensure that they come out from garages when called,” he said.

Mr Collins Dike, Nation Organising Secretary, who represented the president of COMTUA, called for synergy between truck terminals releasing trucks and seaport terminals receiving them.

According to Dike, trucks released from Eto spend over three days on the road because seaport terminals are not ready to receive them.

“From Mile 2 to TinCan, there are 18 checkpoints manned by security agents and their cronies and we spend as much as from N40,000 to N70,000, which is meant for passing trucks,” he said.

Also, Mr Godwin Ikeji, member Board of Trustees of COMTUA, listed some of their complaints as: high-handedness of the taskforce team, use of thugs to extort money and towing moving vehicles.

He pointed out that the issue of individualising problems, being asked to call a private number when there are issues should be looked into, calling for setting up a good structure to address challenges.

Mr Olayinka Olawole, Assistant Director at the Ministry of Transportation, urged the truckers to demand for tickets when their vehicles are towed and if vehicles are driven and not towed, they could petition the officer.

According to him, when a vehicle breaks down, if truckers initiate a call to that regards, they will be billed for only towing but if the towing van comes on their own, they will get a ticket plus fine.

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FCCPC, Shippers’ Council sign agreement for fair competition

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The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to ensure fair competition among operators in the industry.

FCCPC’s Chief Executive Officer, Mr Babatunde Irukera, said at the ceremony on Thursday, in Abuja that the move would remove bottlenecks and increase effective commerce in the industry.

According to him, we are partners in making sure that consumers are treated fairly, market operates robustly and ensure that a playing field is left without entry barriers.

He expressed optimism that the agreement would become operational as quickly as possible.

Irukera commended the council’s approach to work with the commission, describing it as collaborative and supportive.

“For us, consumption is as much about pricing, as it is with disposable income and with satisfaction.

“People are likely to purchase again if they are satisfied and if there is enough money to purchase again, so, we are partners in making sure that consumers are treated fairly.

“The interim payers for the ultimate payers for the service they provide are also entitled to a fair value, for the money proposition.

“Our work is to find that balance, make sure commerce increases and ensure there are no bottlenecks to commerce.

“We will also ensure that those in the business themselves are not bottlenecks to fairness to the citizens of this country,’’ he said.

The Executive Secretary of the NSC, Mr Emmanuel Jime, described the industry as a very sensitive sector of the economy.

Jime said the council was involved in costs’ modulation to the extent that ultimate benefits to the consumers were guaranteed.

“Cost effectiveness is the key element of how services are delivered and when competition is properly monitored and consumers protected, it impacts costs.

“We are sector regulators, we have a common interest and we have to engender a common understanding.

“There is a need to have this kind of partnerships,’’ Jime said.

The FCCPC had in 2021 executed a judicial search warrant and order of the Federal High Court, to actively investigate potential anti-competitive conducts in the shipping industry.

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Shippers move to monitor Cargo Defence Fund

The Shippers Association of Lagos State (SALS) on Tuesday said it would monitor the implementation of the Cargo Defence Fund to make it effective.

The spokesperson for SALS, Dr Kayode Farinto, made this known at a news conference in Lagos.

The Cargo Defence Fund is an initiative of the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), set up as a Cargo Protection and Indemnity (Cargo P & I) scheme.

It was established to mitigate losses incurred by shippers, especially small time importers and exporters, who may not have the financial muscle to pursue their legitimate maritime claims.

Farinto said that the SALS would collaborate with government agencies to ensure that the Cargo Defence Fund did not become moribund like the Cabotage Vessel Financing Fund (CVFF).

According to Farinto, the Cargo Defence Fund is very germaine and shippers do not want it to be a moribund.

“The Cargo Defence Fund is to assist shippers and help cushion the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

He also urged government to look at trade facilitation as a core principle to enable shippers bring in cargo effortlessly.

Farinto addes that SALS would vacate its second-floor accommodation at the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) corporate headquarters over what the association labelled as lack of enough protection for cargo owners.

“This year, the NSC must carry everybody along. It is important that the chicken that lays the golden eggs are protected. The Shippers must be protected, empowered and encouraged.

“Shippers are very important in the industry, they are the proverbial hen that lay the golden eggs; without shippers, there will not be any cargo.

“In the NSC’s Act, a shipper is the direct owner of the cargo.

“Section 3, subsection C of the Act number 13 that establishes the council also said that the council is to encourage the formulation of shippers association all over the country.

“Unfortunately, the role of the shippers in the industry shows that shippers association have not been carried along and we will partner with agencies to make ourselves be heard,” he said.

Farinto added that shippers believe in the leadership of the NSC, but urged that they carry shippers along to ensure collective responsibility.

“Federal Government should not pay lip service to trade facilitation because if trade facilitation is achieved, there will be simplicity and projection in cargo clearance and employment generation.”

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Shippers seek more conducive trade environment in 2022

Mr Jonathan Nicole, President, Shippers Association of Lagos (SAL), says shippers are expecting a more conducive trade environment in 2022.

Nicole said this in a statement on Saturday in Lagos and attributed the quest for a more conducive trade environment to the lingering effects of agitations, lawlessness and other negative consequences experienced in 2021.

He called on the port economic regulator to be more pro-active in curtailing and eliminating the root causes of maritime backwardness.

Nicole noted that the restrictions on foreign exchange would be counterproductive as a lot of industries would be grossly affected by the policy.

According to him, import trade will suffer due to foreign exchange restrictions.

He noted that importers could hardly pay freight charges as the approved window was 5,000 dollars limit for 30 days.

“Freight above 5,000 dollars will be held up until freight charges have been fully prepaid upfront. Goods will attract storage charges abroad for as long as the freight is pending and this type of restriction is counter-productive.

“However, it is encouraging that President Buhari promised to provide foreign exchange for industries and manufactures in 2022 because of the importance of local production of essential materials and for exports,” he said.

Nicole noted that the other major challenge was that 82 per cent of the country agro-allied products are either seized or rejected by EU countries, reasons being that they are illegally exported without certification of government agencies.

“82 per cent of export cargo is enormous. With this in view, it might grossly affect our farmers directly or indirectly without export proceeds from the receivers abroad,” he said.

Nicole said that to have a good trading environment, shippers expect the Nigeria Customs Service amendment of CEMA to meet with the current realities in the World Trade Agreements. No more threats to Importers.

He said that they were seeking peaceful co-existence in the maritime sectors, urging shipping lines and terminal operators to induce development of the maritime systems not just increasing costs as a major target.

“We expect reduction of cost of doing business in Nigeria and encourage entrepreneurship through direct investments from proceeds from our imports.

“The security of our waterways must be guaranteed. Fishing vessels should be protected to enable Nigerians supply fish into our various markets. This is local content.

“The Gulf of Guinea has to be protected from invading pirates. Nigeria waters should be safe enough for ourselves as stakeholders in Nigeria,” he said.

Nicole urged freight forwarders to be closer to cargo owners who provide them with jobs rather than becoming spies to government agencies in the name of getting rich quick.

“We do not want anyone or group of people to take laws into their hands in the guise of compliance to ravage the sector in 2022,” he said.

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Why Nigeria lost IMO council seat – shippers

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Rev. Jonathan Nicole, President, Shippers Association of Lagos, says maritime sector issues made Nigeria to lose a bid to secure a seat in the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Council.

Nicole said in Lagos on Saturday and urged the Federal Government  to urgently resolve the issues which, he said,  gave the sector a bad name.

Nigeria on Friday lost  election into Category  C of the IMO, after years of failed efforts to rejoin the elitist group of maritime nations since it lost  re-election bid in 2011.

The new members of Category C are Bahamas, Belgium, Chile, Cyprus, Denmark, Egypt, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Morocco, the Philippines, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Thailand, Turkey and Vanuatu.

Those who joined  Nigeria as losers are South Africa, Kuwait and Peru. The new entrants are Vanatu, Qatar and Saudi Arabia

Winners in Category A are China, Greece, Italy, Japan, Norway, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Russian Federation, United Kingdom and United States.

Winners in Category B are Australia, Brazil, Canada, France, Germany, India, the Netherlands, Spain, Sweden and United Arab Emirates.

According to Nicole, insecurity is tarnishing Nigeria’ image.

He said that in spite of huge presence of the government with war ships in the Gulf of Guinea, pirates were still operating with impunity.

“Trading platform is almost militarised, shippers are porous, fishing industry is threatened by pirates.

“All these are issues that need to be resolved by the government.

`’We have to make sure that all the aforementioned issues, including  intimidation of key service providers, should be eliminated in our maritime industry,” he said.

Nicole  added that closure of Nigeria’s border  might have made it to lose support of Francophone communities.

He urged that Nigeria should carry out a thorough conflict resolution toward getting the support of Francophone countries.

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Shippers’ council urges Kaduna Inland Dry Port to source exports for TBL

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The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has urged the Kaduna Inland Dry Port Ltd., (KIDPL) to engage export customers to ensure the issuance of Through Bill of Lading (TBL) for cargo at the port.
Mr Bala Adamu, Chief Operating Officer NSC made the appeal at the Ministerial Implementation Committee (MIC) meeting with shipping companies in Lagos on Wednesday
The meeting was to deliberate on Issuance of Through Bill of Lading (TBL) for Cargoes destined to Kaduna Inland Dry Port.
A through bill of lading is a legal document that allows for the transportation of goods both within domestic borders and through international shipment
He added that as the KIDPL was seeking export, they should consider import. There should be inward and outward of cargoes for the port.
“The KIDPL has been gazetted as a port of destination, so they have a legal instrument in their hands to pursue the TBL and shippers council have expended a lot of money to create an awareness but the KIDP needs to take the crucial step.
“The KIDPL needs to look inward, the matter being discussed is an internal matter that needs to be addressed between them and the parent body, the Inland Container Nigeria Ltd.,” he said.
Adamu noted that to ensure that KIDPL start issuing TBL, the council had engagement with shipping companies and allayed their fears urging them to reach their principals on the need for them to issue the TBL.
He said that the Nigeria Railway Corporation was also sought on the need for improved number of wagons and locomotives and they promised resumption of service from the seaport in Lagos to KIDPL.
“Also, there will be review of haulage rate, a standardized rate to provide benchmark for cargo evacuation from the seaport to the inland Dry port.
“The KIDPL should step up their game, nobody will push them to pursue vigorously importers and exporters. They should promise them incentives because they should not continue to sing the same song.
“NSC is appealing to the KIDPL and their parent body ICNL, to embark on publicity to improve their visibility, synergize and collaborate with shipping companies, stating their volume and what they can guarantee them,” he said.
Also, Mr Victor Ewache, Deputy Director, Inland Container Depot, Federal Ministry of Transportation noted that the Bill of lading could be issued from any port, from China or any port in the world, even to Kano.
He pointed out that responsibility was on Kaduna dry port to generate cargo for export and also, import cargo could be transported there likewise empty containers taken back.
“This is a fruitful deliberation. One thing that occured today is the testimony of attitude, that is the presence of shipping lines. We have not been having them and they are here to give us information on the Thorough bill of lading in favour of the KIDPL.
“Today they have been able to give us a lot of information that will help us ensure that the KIDP issues bill of lading,” he said.
He pointed out that some of the challenge pushed out by shipping companies, the federal government was on some of them.
“The issue of insecurity is everywhere but it is going to be solved gradually. In as much as government is on it, it is good to know that in each container that leaves the port, the Nigeria Customs provides security, about seven customs officers or more.
“Another challenge is lack of infrastructure, especially the vandalism of rail guages but the Nigerian Railway Corporation had confirmed to us that most of the issues has been resolved, the one washed away by erosion and stolen ones by vandals has been replaced,” he said.
Mr Rotimi Hassan, Port Manager, KIDPL noted that the port had challenges associated with shipping companies, customs and rail connection, adding that he was optimistic that by the end of the year, with today’s deliberation things would improve.
He noted that he was working out strategies to ensure that issues of the TBL would be done with and sought the support of all stakeholders.
“On issues raised by shipping companies, on the doability of the issuance of the bill, there is market and volume of cargo in Kaduna and so a letter will be written to that effect to start with its commencement.
“I believe things will work out based on what we agreed on and the improvement seen and the railway corporation has promised that the rail will work and when that happens, others would fall in.
“The shipping companies are afraid of the safety and security of the good so if rail works, that will give a kind of motivation for them to come in,” he said.
Also Mr Yemi Odunowo, Assistant Director Marketing, NRC, noted that fortunately, the KIDP was connected to the rail since it was the flagship for dry port.
“Unfortunately, during the lockdown, the communities where the infrastructure are located that are meant to protect them could not and people removed the rails.
“We have commenced repairs of damaged rail guages due to vandalism and those washed away by erosion, all geared towards smooth operations at the port.
“We are about to commence loading from Kaduna to Apapa but we will prefer that as we take import to North, the container will not come back empty,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that some of the shipping companies that were present for the meeting were Alraine Shipping, Cosco, CMC CMA and SIFAX terminal was also present.
As a way forward, the shipping companies urged government to tackle the cargo transportation challenges faced such as inconsistency in cost , insecurity, buffer zone that had not been implemented.
They urge the KIDPL to use export to drive the TBL, they should speak with shipping companies and strike a deal with them and they will get a seamless operation.

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