Hike in charges: Aniebonam backs terminal operators, blames subsidy removal

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The Founder of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Chief Boniface Aniebonam, has backed the move by seaport terminal operators to increase their charges, stating that it is obvious that the removal of fuel subsidy by the Federal Government has shut up their operating cost.

In a statement issued very late on Thursday, Dr. Aniebonam called on the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) to call an emergency meeting of affected stakeholders, including the terminal operators, to arrive at how much the new terminal handling charges should be.

According to the NAGAFF Founder, “We regret the avoidable rivalry between the two major freight forwarding associations in Nigeria to see reasons to close ranks and work together for the common good of the greater numbers of freight forwarding practitioners in Nigeria; NAGAFF AND ANLCA refers.

“Worse still is the wobbling and fumbling of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to meet up with their regulatory functions.

“The inadequacies from these background provides a greater opportunity for the terminal operators to operate freely as business enterprises whose ultimate goal is to maximise profit

“The truth of the matter is straightforward and unambiguous for us to understand that the operational cost of the terminal operators have increased due to the removal of fuel subsidy. Therefore the urgent need for them to break even as business enterprises cannot be over-emphasised.

“What shall be most appropriate at the moment is for the Nigeria Shippers Council to call for an emergency meeting of the stakeholders and the terminal operators to seat and work out a competitive price increase that is reasonable and affordable.

“In the interim, whereas this idea may manifest, the urgent need to stop the arbitrary increase becomes inevitable on the part of the Nigeria Shippers Council to act and direct accordingly. This may be the way going forward to avert the looming unrest in the Customs ports by the freight forwarders

“Whatever it may be, it is my belief that this is the time for sacrifices and hard-work if we must come out from the present economic hardship in our country. I therefore appeal to freight forwarding PRACTITIONERS to exercise restraint and cooperate with the government authority to broker the unrest for the peace of the ports.

“Dialogue, consultation and communication are the ways going forward in conflict resolution other than violence. It is also very important that terminal operators should always seek approval of increase in charges from the appropriate authority in the transportation ministry and due consultation with the stakeholders. We share their difficulties like any other in Nigeria.”

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