Maritime stakeholders operating in the Eastern ports of the country have unanimously rejected an alleged 200 percent increase in haulage fare by the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) in connivance with the transport unions.

The stakeholders, including importers, exporters, shippers and freight forwarders, lamented impending inflationary effects on members of the public, if the alleged hike is allowed to stand.

The various groups unanimously threatened operational shut down, as they declared a seven-day ultimatum during which the NSC is expected to return to status quoby reversing the hiked rate.

They made their position known to journalistsin Port Harcourt,Rivers State, while analyzing impending inflationary effects on the masses if the hike is not moderated and allowed to stand.

Zonal Coordinator, Association of NigerianLicenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr. Joshua Ahuama, who spoke on behalf of the groups, noted that the meeting became necessary to enable them collectively reject the new rate as it contravened the provisions of the NSC Act.

According to him, stakeholders consultation was an integral provision of the agencys Act, wondering why the agency did not utilize such.

Ahuama noted that several protest letters have been written to the Nigerian Shippers Council rejectingthe hiked fare.

He said: Recently, the NSC had approved a 200 percent increment on haulage rate for transport owners and drivers operating under the maritime union of Nigeria.

To this end, Importers and Freight Forwarders Association in the Eastern zone have unanimously disputed the new rate because it is outrageous, arbitrary and unacceptable to all stakeholders in the zone.

We have, however, resolved to adopt all peaceful efforts; we started this move on March 14, 2024, by calling on the NSC to ensure proper stakeholders engagement and renegotiation.

These measures are also expected to help all parties reach a benchmark that would be in the interest of all stakeholders in the maritime value chain.

We also urge the NSC to return to status quo, by suspending implementation of the disputed rate pending proper renegotiation covering the interest of all stakeholders.

We are not on a selfish course; our demands are in the interest of Nigerians because any slight increase in haulage rate will reflect on prices of goods in the open market. A businessman incorporates total logistics cost into pricesof goods, he added.

The council, it was gathered, said the newly approved rate took into consideration, cost moderation and other cargo transport issues.

The stakeholders, however, said that they might be constrained to take drastic measures that may include suspension on all declaration of goods and payment of Customs duties which could negativity affect national revenue and economic output.

Some members of the Import and Export association who were present at the meeting included: Nigeria Shippers Association, Aba International Traders Association, Ultimate Importers Association, POP Importers Association, Nnewi Importers Association and Onitsha Importers Association.

Others were African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), RF Transportation Incorporated, Association of NigerianLicenced Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents and others. (Daily Sun)