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The Federal Government of Nigeria at the inception of lockdown against COVID-19 Pandemic ordered that businesses all over Nigeria should lockdown, includingoperations at the ports besides essential businesses and services, during theincumbency of the lockdown.As usual with the Handlers (NAHCO and SAHCO), they have again flagrantlydisregard and disobey the directive. The two bodies have been operating and theyare informing people whose consignments are with them to come forward to payground rent wholly (100%). Where there is no operation and lockdown, what thenbring about the issue of demurrage? With so much pressure and protests from theindustry’s stakeholders, the two handlers have decided to peg the same rent to20%.We and other port users are not comfortable with the disrespect of the FederalGovernment directive/order. It is also our belief that the Federal Governmentthrough your office should wield the big stick and sanction the two bodies.These two bodies are fond of adding to the economic hardship of Nigerians. As amatter of fact, our Association is in court against these 2 erring (NAHCO andSAHCO), disrespectful and non-conformist duo regarding handling charges whichthey intended to ‘jack up’ to an arbitrary 70%. Even as the matter is still in court, the two reduced the charges to40% and implement same contrary to the avowed belief and doctrine ‘that when amatter is sub-judicial, all form of self-help should cease’. NAHCO and SAHCOhave contemptuously done the unthinkable ditto this pandemic lockdown directive.If the Handlers can call the bluff of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos, presidedby revered Prof. Obiozor J., what then is Federal Government to order them toapply zero demurrage during the lock down. It have been their custom and theirmanagement character to flout orders, they must be ‘cut to size’ and be made to-obey lawful order/directives.
We expect the FAAN,NCAA and your good office to check to compel the-handlers to comply with the federal government order/directives.
