The Port users like members of Manufacturers’ Association of Nigeria (MAN), Nigerian Chambers of Commerce, Industries , Mines and Agriculture (NACCI MA), other Importers and Customs licensed Agents have reacted describing the tariff charge increases as “neocolonialist exploitation”.

Before the handover, the Nigerian Ports Authority was charging on daily rent for a container N375, after five days of rent free ; documentation Charge ranged between N200 and N700, Transfer Charge was between N225 and N399, weekend Charge was N378, and Terminal Delivery and Handling Charges for 20 footer Container was N4014.50 and for 40 footer was N5287.50 and VAT is calculated added into the final bills.

AP Moller Terminals management recently releasednew tariff Charges for inbound imports on Maersk Line and advised all importers who have Containers at Container Terminals, Apapa, “that commencing March 20, 2006, “All Charges formally payable to NPA for Cargoes on Maersk Line Vessels Calling Apapa Port will now be payable at Maersk line offices.”]

“The new tariff charge for 20 footer container (Dry) instead of N4,014.50 earlier charged by NPA is now N45,000; for a 40 footer (dry) Container, for which NPA was charging N526 7.50, is now increased to N69,000. The same rate applied to refrigerated Containers.

Delivery Charges for whichNPA was taking between N225 and N300, is now going for N5,015 for a 20 footer Container (dry) and N6,268 for for 40 footer Container,. For a 20 footer refrigerated container, AP Moller collects N6,765, and 40 footer, N8,893.

The daily rent per Container for which the NPA was collecting between N375 and N 378 is now increased to N750 per day for 20 footer (dry) Container and N1,500 for 40 footer (dry) Container. Refrigerated Containers attract for 20 footer N1,000 and N2,000 for 40 footer Container.

The AP Moller Terminals management stated that the “rates are subject to changes and may vary in accordance with market trends”.

Chief Adebayo Sarumi, the NPA Managing Director and Chief Executive on March 3, 2006 in a Press briefing at Eko le-Meridien, Victoria Island, said that “the Concession agreement does not authorise the Concessionaires or Private Terminal Operators to review tariff rates.

Rather the present NPA Cargo handling tariff is to be used by them , but if any of them wants an upward review of its rates charges, Chief Sarumi said, “they must wait for the transport commission to be constituted to hear their requests”.

Chief Frank Ogbuzulu, the Managing Director of Regal Frank International Limited and Trustee of Association of Nigeria Customs Licensed Agents said, ” Taking NPA Managing Director’s statement seriously, it means that AP Moller has breached the Concession Agreement”. He said, “The new tariff rate and charges by AP Moller is very exhorbitant”

Mr. Lexzy Nwangwu, the Managing Director of Lexzy Peters Nigeria Limited said, “the AP Moller terminals have not properly commenced operation but they are now causing confusion”.

Source: AllAfrica