Clearing agents operating at the nation’s seaports have accused Tin-Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) and Port and Cargo terminal, at Tin-Can Island Complex, of frustrating the federal government’s decision to decongest the port of overtime containers.
Speaking to journalists, the clearing agents, under the aegis of the 100 per cent Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), accused the two operators of obstructing efforts to decongest Nigeria’s ports.
The national coordinator of the group, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, lamented that the Overtime and Auction Committee, established by the government to resolve the issue of trapped containers, is being hindered by terminal operators who refuse to grant access to containers.
According to Tanko, the congestion at ports is largely due to the demurrage fees imposed by terminal operators, notably at TICT (Tin-Can Island Container Terminal) and Ports & Cargo terminals, which have prevented the committee from effectively addressing the situation.
“The government is trying to decongest the ports through this committee, but terminal operators are uncooperative. Thousands of containers are trapped due to demurrage, and despite our efforts to seek waivers or solutions, our requests have been turned down. The operators are prioritising demurrage collection over national interests,” Tanko said.
He expressed frustration over the operators’ refusal to release containers even after they have been auctioned by the committee, accusing them of obstructing legitimate business activities.
“We have written multiple letters, but they are acting as if they are above the government. Even when the government auctions containers, terminal operators still refuse to release them, even after all fees have been paid,” he added. Tanko warned that over 10,000 containers remain trapped at TICT and Ports & Cargo terminals, blaming the operators’ refusal to cooperate with the government-backed committee.
In response, the 100 per cent Compliance Team has resolved to withdraw the services of freight forwarders if the terminal operators continue to obstruct decongestion efforts. “We are aligned with the government’s efforts. If they do not cooperate, we will stop our services at the ports. At that point, the government will have no choice but to intervene. We cannot allow this to continue,” Tanko stated.
The freight forwarders have given terminal operators a two-week ultimatum, warning that if no changes are made by October 25, they will take decisive action.
