Increase in tariff must follow due process —Shippers Council

The Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has again made it clear that increase in tariff must follow set procedures and scientifically decided before an approval is given to the service provider.

The process, according to the council, will involve all parties on a negotiation table after a formal request for such increase has been submitted to the ports economic regulator by the service provider.

The Executive Secretary, NSC, Mr Hassan Bello, said the council wants to ensure that the provisions of the law as far as tariff setting by service providers were followed.

Insisting on a competitive tariff system for the interest of shippers and the shipping community, Bello said the council was laying emphasis on procedures being observed by service providers.

He explained that the council was not adverse to raising tariffs or lowering them for that matter, but wants to ensure that all procedures are adhered to.

Bello said, “All NSC is saying is that it is not adverse to raising tariffs or lowering them for that matter, but there are procedures and these procedures are entrenched in the Nigerian laws, so we urge everybody to obey the law. The truckers are here, we are negotiating their tariffs. So, people should come and say, we want to raise tariff or we want to lower them as the case may be, because there are times when you need to do that. All we are saying is that you are operating in a clime of laws. Nigeria is country of laws, so please, come and abide with the laws of this country.”

He was also of the view that the tariffs in Nigerian ports have to be considerably competitive with tariffs in other neighbouring ports “especially those ports we are competing with.”

He assured that before taking any decision on tariff, the council considers a lot of factors, adding that the personnel of the economic regulator were competent in this area.

He disclosed that the council was working towards having a modern tariff system with the shipping companies.