ABUJA SHIPPERS CALL FOR NATIONAL SHIPPING LINE_Ada Nkong

The Abuja shippers association have lamented the delay in clearing goods at the port.
Speaking at their general meeting at the Nigerian Shippers council office in Abuja, the Chairman of Abuja Shippers Association said, their goods are deliberately delayed sometimes to increase cost incurred as demurrage.He lamented the absence of a national shipping line which he said makes the shipping companies to take Nigerian shippers for granted.
“This meeting is to map out positive steps towards repositioning the sector through the blue print and realistic action plan”. He condemned the reluctance of the shipping companies to take containers from Nigeria.
” Not only do they delay shippers taking their goods to increase demurrage, they bring in say 500 containers and take only 50 containers from Nigeria. Preferring to pick up containers from other African ports. They also dump their empty containers at the ports which is contributing to the grid lock.
Addressing the meeting, the representative of the Executive Secretary NSC, Barr Hassan Bello called on the Shippers to take advantage of the dry ports to fast track movement of goods.
A participant from National Freight Haulers association Mr Adukwu saidbrhe government should sensitize shippers as well as publicise the incentives for patronizing the dry port.
Commenting on Government’s policy of a single window to facilitate the clearing of goods at the poets Adukwu said:
“The same bureaucracy has remained in place. It is one thing to sit down in the comfort if your office and issue an executive order, it is another thing to follow the executive order through to ensure it is carried out .
Unfortunately, in thus part of the country, what has been reigning is impunity, people do what they like”.
A licensed clearing agent with the Nigerian customs complained about Nigerian importers giving false information on the nature of goods in their container which he said is behind the delay in clearing goods since containers have to be painstakingly checked , to ensure accuracy of information on the bill of lading.He called for registration of all importers to eliminate sharp practices at the port.
Another participant Mr Uche called for increase in ease of shipping as well as the elimination of agents who he said shortchange the Shippers. He also asked that all requirements for shipping should be clearly spelt out on the website of the Shippers association to enable members comply.
A freight forwarder, Mr Phillip Eboh called for a dual view xray machine to encourage large cargos to be screened at the same time.