By Uzor Odigbo
Stakeholders in the Nigerian maritime sector are adding their voices to the rejection of planned introduction of registration fees by the Nigerian Shippers Council.
In separate interviews, most of them described it as an unnecessary burden being placed on business people and investors suffering as a result of poor port infrastructure.
Alhaji Inuwa Abdullahi, Vice Chairman, Dry Cargo Division of Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) said it negates government much talked about ease of doing business.
According to him, this further makes the country’s ports less attractive as it amounts to double taxation where businesses are slowed down and profits have continued to decline.
“Importers are getting more attracted to using ports of neighbouring countries for cargoes that are consumed by Nigerians. This leads to increasing job loss and multiple taxation by government agency.
“It is not good for the country and the economy and will further make our port less attractive. There are many issues affecting the ports users that requires urgent attention than this.”
Lucky Amiwero, President of National Council of Managing Directors of Licenced Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) described the fee introduction as alien and unlawful.
According to him, there is no place in the Act establishing the Nigerian Shippers Council where such registration fee is provided.
Amiwero said: “I challenge them to show us anywhere in their enabling law where they have powers to call for registration fees.
“The enabling law of Shippers Council, which is an act of National Assembly under which the council operates gives it powers to protect the interest of shippers and not to add to their problems.
“It’s a simple matter, they should just show us where they derive such powers from in their enabling law. The fees is another illegality being foisted on port users and operators.”
Chief Rem, i Ogungbemi Chairman of Association of Maritime Truck Owners (AMATO) said it is a policy dead on arrival.
Ogungbemi asked rhetorically: “What is the fees meant for? Is it to fix the dilapidated port infrastructure? Is it to build parking space for our trucks or to add value to our operations in any way?”
“If it is the same way Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) collected N10,000 from us for stickers per truck, I will say this one is dead on arrival.
“We need them to come and explain better what we are paying that money for. Presently we are burdened by several unofficial payments in addition to the official ones of renewing our vehicle particulars annually and payment of other fees.
But, Increase Uche, President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) said the fee is in order.
Uche while supporting the council blamed port users and investors who kicked against it for acting in ignorance.
He said such fees will cover administrative costs for the registration and help to profile, identify and cause orderliness in the port environment.
“Most of us belong to other organizations like the Council for Regulation of Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (CRFFN) and we pay the stipulated fees.
“I don’t see anything wrong with this one. I urge people to comply with it,” he said.
Director of Legal Services NSC, Samuel Vongtau, said through the registration process, the Council would be able to know the number of service providers operating within the sector, adding that it will also help bring sanity to the port environment.
NSC introduced registration fee for stakeholders and service providers operating at the nation’s seaports. The registration fee, which is to be paid by clearing agents, shipping companies, Indigenous Shippers, Inland container operators, terminal operators, off dock terminal operators is to help the council weed out touts and quacks from the industry.
Breakdown of the registration fee released by the Council showed that shipping line agencies are expected to pay a registration fee of N100, 000 yearly, cargo consolidators – N20,000; dry port operators – N50, 000; freight forwarders and clearing agents – N10, 000; hauliers – N10,000; Inland Container Depot operators – N50,000; off dock terminal operators – N20,000; Seaport terminal operators – N100, 000; shippers – N1,000; shippers association – N5,000; Stevedoring companies – N20,000, and warehouse operators – N20,000, with an annual registration of truck owners.
