*Asks Concessionaires to Desist From Collecting Delivery Charges
Following complaints by some exporters that they are being charged arbitrarily, the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC) has charged concessionaires in the nation’s seaports to desist from collecting delivery charges.
NSC specifically asked the management of Tin Can Island Container Terminal Limited (TICT) to stop delivery charges on all export cargoes. The council urged TICT to ensure that tariff nomenclature (delivery charges) on their export transition invoices are permanently expunged.
The decision of NSC was sequel to a complaint received from Harlink Investment Limited against TICT.
A release made available to Maritime Bits stated that in a meeting convened to address the complaints, NSC Head of Complaint. Mr. Ambi Mohammed said the council received a complaint from Harlink Investment Limited alleging that TICT imposed delivery fee on each of its export containers.
The containers are as follows: EBKG08175277, EBKG08219074, EBKG08230998, EBLG08244049, EBKG08244050, EBGK08261890, EBKG08317967, EBKG08317968, EBKG0335997, EBKG08374698, EBKG08396392, EBKG08476390, EBKG08656664, and EBKG08740013.
Apart from the NSC team, the Managing Director/CEO of Harlink Investment Limited, Alhaji Nofiu Inaolaji and representatives of TICT namely, Messrs Tunde Owoeye and Merit Eshameh attended the meeting.
Acting on the letter earlier written by the Market Analysis and Tariff Administration Division of the Regulatory Services Department, the Complaints Unit enjoined TICT to step down and stop further charges.
The complaints Unit urged TICT to go through the delivery charges already collected from Harlink Investment Limited, accordingly.
The TICT representatives in response apologised and informed the meeting that the company would expunge the charges as a result of NSC intervention which they eventually did.
Inaolaji on his part said that his firm appreciates NSC for its intervention and reiterated his earlier request that the charges should be discontinued.
After deliberations which lasted for one-and-a-half hour, the meeting agreed as follows:
•TICT to expunge delivery charges from their invoices for all export cargoes.
•TICT to refund the already paid delivery charges to Harlink Investment Limited and update NSC.
•The consignor on his volition let off the refundable sum of N804,121.04.
•NSC enjoined Harlink Investment Limited to maintain the existing cordial business relationship with TICT.
NSC appreciates the parties for honouring the invitation and their positive contribution towards the amicable resolution of the matter.
