Customs Agents Call for Suspension of NSC's Local Shipping Charge Increase

Eromosele Abiodun

Customs agents in the country have urged the federal government to compel the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to suspend a planned increase in local shipping charges until a review by the standing committee is completed.

Mr. Lucky Amiwero, President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents – the umbrella body representing customs agents in Nigeria – presented this request in a petition addressed to President Bola Tinubu.

He said the proposed increase would violate the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that governs local shipping charges between providers and users of shipping, port, and related services, a document approved by the federal government.

“The Memorandum of Understanding, under Articles 2(b) and 4, clearly states that any additional charges must be agreed upon by the parties involved through the Nigerian Shippers Council and complied with,” he said.

“In line with the provisions of Articles 2 and 4 of the MOU, the prescribed procedure must be followed. First, the information on the increase – including the rationale and the percentage – must be submitted to the standing committee for consideration and review.”

“We hereby request the suspension of any local shipping charge increase pending review by the standing committee, which will require detailed information on the increase, the percentage, and justification for the increase to be submitted to the standing committee as approved by the federal government,” he added.

Mr. Amiwero said the Nigerian Shippers Council must forward all detailed information on the proposed increase to the standing committee, the signatories of the MOU, for review in accordance with the approved federal government MOU.

“We refer the government to the usual procedure for initiating an increase in local shipping charges. Notifications of proposed increases are always forwarded to the standing committee, as referenced in 2003 NSC/TOD/FPS/011/VOL.V/54 of 20 June and NSC/TOD/FPS/011/VOL.35 of 14 April 2003, in line with Articles 2(b) and 4 of the MOU,” he said.

“In line with Articles 2(b) and 4 of the memorandum of understanding, the request made by the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) was forwarded to the Shippers Council, which in turn forwarded the same to the technical standing committee for review,” he added.