No Longer Business As Usual, As ANLCA Reads Riot Act to Ports & Cargo, Customs, Others

By DAPO OLAWUNI

There are indications that it would no longer be business as usual at the Tin Can Island Port, even as the Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Alhaji Mohammed Mojeed has charged Ports and Cargo Terminal to upgrade their services or face the wrath of the agents.

Mojeed since assumption of office last week, had swung into action, trying to address heap of complaint letters emanating from ANLCA member at Tin Can Chapter, especially on operational challenges at Ports and Cargo Terminal over the alleged delays in positioning of containers for examination.

The ANLCA Chairman on Thursday led other members of his executives on a familiarisation tour of key stakeholders at the Tin Can Island Port including the Port Police, Department of State Security (DSS) among others.

He lamented that clearing agents are finding it difficult to position containers for examination at Ports and Cargo Terminal due to lack of equipment by the terminal.

Alhaji Mohammed Mojeed (2nd from right) and other executives of ANLCA Tin Can Chapter during a meeting with Cordinator yesterday in Lagos[/caption)

He also alleged that the agents are being forced to pay demurrage for the delays caused by the alleged inadequacies of the terminal.

According to him, it now takes two weeks for containers to be positioned for examination at the terminal.

Alhaji Mojeed also paid a visit to the Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Command, Compt Musa Baba, saying that ANLCA under his watch would not tolerate exploitation from customs officers, especially in valuation of vehicles.

Speaking during a visit to the office of the Divisional Police Officer in charge of Roro Port, Mr. Njoku Michael, Mojeed said agents are ready to take destinies into their hands.

“We have a lot of challenges with the terminal operators and shipping companies, if we are not proactive we cannot get it right, the expectations from our members at this time is so much, and we might have some confrontations which at the end of the day we would bring to you”

“Presently I can tell you that some of my members want to position a container which is supposed to be cleared within three days, but we have been on it for over ten days, and we have continued to pay demurrage because of their inadequacy, they cannot provide a crane that would do that”

“If you look at the road, you would see a lot of trucks that supposed to discharge their empty containers but their is no space for them, at the end of the day, the container deposit is depleted”

“This new administration, a lot is expected of us, there are lots of letters at our secretariat, but we want to make a familiarisation tour first before addressing the problems”

“It cannot be the way it was before, we have to change things” he said

Alhaji Mojeed assured that the association is going to fight the payment of demurrage on empty containers stranded without access into the port.

While speaking on the alleged inadequacies of Ports and Cargo Terminal, he said the terminal is biting more than they can chew at the moment.

“When a container arrives at the port and an agent tries to book the container for examination, he cannot get it done for three weeks and yet they would be charging demurrage”

“We have met with them on Tuesday and they promised to give certain free periods, we are putting them on their toes because if they don’t do it, definitely we are going to react, we can no longer continue to tolerate all these exploitation” he said

Responding at the separate visits, the Police DPO at Roro Command, Njoku Michael sympathised with the ANLCA executives, acknowledging Tin Can Island Chapter as a strong chapter of ANLCA that could champion a process that would sanitize the port.

He urged the agents to embrace dialogue with the stakeholders, if possible, take their grievances to the highest authority.
He said it must not be done with violence.

The police boss sympathized with the agents, describing them as endangered species in the logistics chain.

“If there is system breakdown, the agents pay demurrage, if there are challenges on the road, the agent pays demurrage, if customs fail to do their work, the agent would pay demurrage, but at the end of the day, who is compromising what? Why would the agents pay for the lapses of terminal operators and shipping companies and every other stakeholders”

“If there is an accident on the road, nobody cares to know, even with evidence, they would not take it, the agent must pay demurrage” he said

Also speaking, the Divisional Police Officer at Tin Can Port, Mr.D. Folahan said the crisis at the National level of ANLCA has made it difficult for stakeholders to identify which faction to relate with.

He said “There is a divided house in ANLCA and this is why everybody is being careful on whom to relate with”

He enjoined the agents to embrace peace and not go about their demands in a violent way

“Always engage them in dialogue, and make sure it is documented, let them know your feelings, challenges and grievances. All the issues you have itemised, we are aware of it, we attend series of meetings, everybody know what is happening in the system, especially with the positioning of containers” he said

On his part, Director of DSS at Tin Can Port, Mamoud Mohammed expressed readiness to partner with ANLCA at Tin Can Chapter in resolving their challenges.

“ANLCA is the foremost trade association in this port and I really look forward to working with you. We at the DSS, it is our duty to ensure that things go smoothly, with both the regulatory agencies, trade unions and other stakeholders. If there is any crisis, we have to bring heads together and address the issue”

“I want you people to keep me in the know about all your activities and challenges” he said