National Coordinator of the 100% Compliance Team of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Dr. Ibrahim Tanko has accused terminal operators of obstructing efforts to decongest Nigeria’s ports. In a statement released today in Lagos, Dr. Tanko lamented that many containers remain trapped in the ports due to excessive demurrage charges.
Dr. Tanko attributed the persistent port congestion to the uncooperative attitude of terminal operators, particularly at the Tin Can Island Container Terminal (TICT) and Ports & Cargo Handling Services. According to him, these operators have refused to grant the Overtime and Auction Committee access to the containers, despite efforts by the government to alleviate the congestion.
“We have an issue with the terminal operators. Government is trying to decongest the ports by setting up the Overtime and Auction Committee. Most of these boxes are trapped because of demurrage,” Dr. Tanko said. He explained that the committee, which includes representatives from Customs and other government agencies, has been met with resistance from the terminal operators, who are allegedly prioritizing the collection of demurrage fees over port decongestion efforts.
Tanko revealed that numerous letters have been sent to the terminal operators requesting waivers on the demurrage charges, but these requests have been repeatedly denied. He questioned the terminal operators’ defiance of government directives, stating, “What is their own? Are they above the government? Who gave them their licenses to operate?”
He further accused the terminal operators of refusing to release containers, even after the auction process has been completed and the necessary fees have been paid. “I was told, if they auctioned the container, the terminal operators will refuse the beneficiary to take the container even after paying 25% duty, auction fees to terminals, and shipping companies,” Tanko added.
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Dr. Tanko, who is also a member of NAGAFF’s Board of Trustees, disclosed that over 10,000 containers are currently trapped at TICT and Ports & Cargo terminals due to the operators’ refusal to cooperate with the decongestion efforts. He warned that the 100% Compliance Team has decided to take action if the situation is not resolved, stating that freight forwarders may withdraw their services at the ports.
“If they refuse to cooperate with the committee, we are going to withdraw our services. By then, the government will come in. We cannot take it again,” he said, giving terminal operators a two-week ultimatum to reconsider their stance or face further action from freight forwarders.
The looming service withdrawal by freight forwarders could lead to significant disruptions at Nigeria’s ports, increasing pressure on terminal operators to comply with the government’s decongestion efforts.
