By Efe Onodjae
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council, NSC, has said the implementation of the National Single Window has not resulted in additional demurrage charges for shippers, despite initial concerns that the initiative could slow cargo clearance and create congestion at the nation’s ports.
Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Council, Dr. Akutah Pius, made this known while responding to questions from maritime editors and reporters during a media engagement in Lagos on Saturday.
Akutah said concerns had been raised before the rollout of the National Single Window that its implementation could delay container clearance and expose importers to demurrage charges. To forestall such a situation, he said the Council immediately engaged terminal operators, shipping companies and other stakeholders.
According to him, stakeholders agreed that any complaint arising from delays directly linked to the implementation of the National Single Window would be considered on a case-by-case basis.
“We engaged stakeholders as a preventive measure to ensure that shippers would not bear unnecessary demurrage charges. At the end of the discussions, everyone agreed that if any shipper suffered demurrage as a result of the implementation of the National Single Window, such a case would be handled individually.
“As of today, there is no issue regarding that. The implementation went smoothly and no demurrage induced by the implementation of the National Single Window has been brought to our attention,” he said.
Speaking on the status of Inland Dry Ports, IDPs, and Vehicle Transit Areas, VTAs, Akutah attributed delays in several projects to funding constraints faced by private concessionaires and security challenges in some locations.
He explained that while the Council regulates and monitors the projects, their development is driven by private investors, some of whom have been unable to mobilise adequate resources to complete construction.
On the proposed Borno Inland Dry Port, Akutah said the project had been delayed because the allocated site remains within an area affected by insecurity.
He added that efforts by the Council to facilitate collaboration between the concessionaire and another private terminal developer were unsuccessful because both parties failed to reach an agreement.
“Whether the Borno State Government will request the appointment of another concessionaire is what is pending at the moment,” he said.
The NSC boss also dismissed allegations that the Council recently carried out a secret recruitment exercise, insisting that the process complied with all statutory requirements.
He said approvals were obtained from the Office of the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, the Federal Character Commission and the Budget Office before recruitment commenced.
“There was no illegal or quiet recruitment. Everything was done in accordance with the law and due process. Anyone who wants to verify the approvals is free to come to the Council,” he said.
