Tariff Hikes: Shippers Council Cannot Be Trusted to Collect ICTN At Ports—APFFLON

By DAPO OLAWUNI

The African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has said that the Nigerian Shippers Council can not be trusted to collect the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN) at the ports, saying that the Agency failed in its regulatory duties with its recent tariff adjustment approval for WACT Terminal in Onne, Rivers State.

President of APFFLON, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite stated this at a press conference held in Ikeja Lagos on Tuesday.

The Council had in a statement on Monday defended hike in Terminal Handling Charges (THC) and Storage Charges at the WACT terminal by 8% and 100% respectively, saying that it was in line with industry benchmark.
The council clarified that the increase in terminal handling and storage charges by WACT had been duly reviewed and approved in two phases—first in 2021 and then in 2023.
The Council dismissed opposition to the tariff adjustment from some freight forwarding associations, describing their concerns as misleading.

The Council also alleged that APFFLON was not properly accredited by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) and that was why it was not aware of the stakeholders consultation about the new tariff.

However, APFFLON held that with this action by the economic regulator, they have shown that they cannot be trusted with the implementation of the ICTN.

Meanwhile, the APFFLON President described the action of the Council as an act of sabotage and working at cross purpose to the intention of the Minister Of Marine and Blue Economy, Gboyega Oyetola who is canvassing a 25% reduction in the cost of port operations in the country.

He posited that the tariff increase was unjustified and detrimental to the government’s efforts to reduce the cost of port operations while pointing out to the recent position of the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy that there is a need to reduce operational costs by 25% at a recent national event, a goal which appears to contradict the NSC’s decision to support a 100% tariff hike by WACT.

“We see this as a sabotage,” Ogunojemite stated, referring to the tariff increase. “The NSC is not acting in the interest of the Nigerian people. If they can support WACT on this unjustified increase, it shows a lack of regard for the welfare of the nation.”

“We are all looking forward to the advantage of the African Free Trade Area Agreement (AfCFTA) and now the Shippers’ Council is supporting WACT on this increment against Nigerians.

“This is uncalled for and it has shown how the Shippers’ Council would not be able to handle the International Cargo Tracking Note implementation (ICTN)” he posited.

Continuing, the APFFLON president also touched upon the issue of charges on weekends and public holidays, which have further exacerbated the financial burden on stakeholders in the port industry. He referred to these additional charges as “cheating” and “sabotage,” calling for the Nigerian government and the Shippers Council to intervene.

Ogunojemite highlighted that APFFLON had sent a letter to the NSC on March 4, 2025, alerting them to the potential negative impact of the tariff hikes, but the letter had been ignored.

He expressed concerns that the NSC’s lack of action on these matters is indicative of a larger problem within the council, one that jeopardizes Nigeria’s aspirations to be a logistics and port hub for West Africa.

Further criticizing the NSC’s failure to regulate the industry effectively, Ogunojemite suggested that the council’s lack of oversight was undermining efforts to streamline and improve the port sector in line with AfCFTA.

“We are calling on the Nigerian government to look into these issues seriously. This will not only affect the port sector but the entire economy,” Ogunojemite said. “If the current trend continues, Nigeria will lose its competitive edge as the gateway to West Africa. We cannot afford to let this happen.”

He vowed to continue pushing back against these tariff hikes through formal channels, including writing to the Senate Committee on Ethnic Privilege and Public Hearing, as well as reaching out to the federal government to challenge the decision. Ogunojemite made it clear that the association would not remain silent in the face of what he called a “systemic sabotage” of the country’s economic interests.

“We are not going to fold our hands,” he said firmly. “We will not allow the interests of a few to undermine the future of Nigeria and its citizens.”