FG Urged To Review Shippers' Council Act

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The Federal Government has been advised to review Shipper’s Council Act to make it perform better this year.

In a statement issued by the chairman of the Tin Can Island chapter of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Mr. Farinto Kayode, the council was advised to wake up to its responsibilities this year by defending the right of shippers and checking the excesses of shipping companies and their arbitrary charges.

He said the operators are of the opinion that the council has failed to defend the rights of shippers and checkmate the shipping companies and their charges, adding that the function is embedded in the Act setting up the shippers’ council.

“Government should empower the Nigerian Shippers’ Council by encouraging the National Assembly to review the council’s Act, as this will go a long way to give the maritime industry a respite,” he said.

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Freight forwarders had last year led a protest against the arbitrary increase of charges by shipping companies, particularly, Alraine Shipping Company, an action that led to clearing agents barricading the entrance of the shipping company for a whole day.

Farinto said the reason the agents took the action is because the Shippers’ Council which is supposed to control the shipping companies and look into the issue failed to do so.

“It is unfortunate because you find that these shipping companies have their cronies as former ministers, retired generals and former heads of state, we don’t need to mention names. This is why when serious committees are set up, these set of people who are so powerful will seat on the report,” he said.

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