ABUJA: The Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has banned professional fees collection by all associations at the ports. Its Executive Secretary Hassan Bello, who gave the order at a Town Hall meeting with stakeholders at Eastern Ports, Port Harcourt yesterday said the proper place for such revenue drive is the organisation’s secretariat.
Represented by the Deputy Director, Compliance, Monitoring and Enforcement, Mr Cajetan Agu, Bello said the decision is sequel to stakeholders’ outcry at the ports against the practice.
The executive secretary also said despite the fact that the appointment of the NSC as Port Economic Regulators came midway last year after the ports have been concessioned in 2006 with its attendant odds, the council still performed.
He also pointed out that getting approved standard tariff for freight forwarders, developing standard operating procedures for operators at the ports among others are some of the achievements the council has recorded within the short period of its existence as economic port regulators. He said the council would do more with the cooperation of other stakeholders in the maritime industry.
The NSC executive secretary also said all the issues raised by the stakeholders at the meeting would be dutifully followed up with the Ministry of Transportation, expressing hope that the new Minister of Transportation would address them accordingly.
He specifically promised to take up the issue of several checkpoints along Port Harcourt -Aba, and Owerri –Onitsha Highways, as well as the dormant nature of eastern ports with the Federal Government.
On the alleged monopoly of operations by some major operators at the ports, Bello said the current leadership of NSC is committed to ensuring a level playing ground for all stakeholders. “My message to the operators is to be compliant, obey the laws, as NSC is ready to provide a level playing field to all operators,” he assured.
