By Steve Agbota
The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has called on the Senate Committee on Ethics, Privileges, and Public Petitions and the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) to intervene over the recent increase in charges by the West African Container Terminal (WACT) at Onne Port.
The association also expressed its dissatisfaction with the role played by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) in the approval of the tariff increment.
Speaking with Daily Sun yesterday, APFFLON President, Frank Ogunojemite, accused the Shippers’ Council of undermining the federal government’s efforts to reduce the cost of doing business at the nation’s seaports.
The accusation follows the NSC’s defense of a recent tariff increase by WACT, where it had announced an eight percent increase in terminal handling charges and a 100 percent rise in storage handling charges, effective from Tuesday, April 1, 2025.
In a statement released on Monday, the NSC stated that WACT’s tariff adjustment received their approval and falls within the industry benchmark. However, Ogunojemite expressed the association’s disappointment with the NSC’s position and vowed to petition the Senate, FCCPC, and the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy.
He said that the association would not fold its arms if the NSC allows WACT to proceed with the tariff adjustments. While expressing frustration over the lack of engagement from both WACT and the NSC before the tariff hike, he said the increment is against the government’s efforts to reduce the high cost of doing business at the ports.
“The Minister of Transport had committed to reducing operational costs by 25 percent at a recent national event, a goal which seems to contradict the NSC’s decision to support a 100 percent tariff hike by WACT. The NSC is not acting in the interest of the Nigerian people. If they can support WACT on this unjustified increase, it shows a lack of regard for the welfare of the nation.
This was not the first instance of such tariff hikes. Last year, WACT imposed a 100 percent increase, and this year, it followed suit with another similar hike,” he added.
He posited that such increases are not only affecting freight forwarders but also citizens who are bearing the brunt of the increased costs in their everyday transactions.
He said that APFFLON had sent a letter to the NSC on March 4, 2025, regarding the potential negative impact of the tariff hikes, but the letter had been ignored.
He expressed concerns that the NSC’s lack of action on these matters is indicative of a larger problem within the council—one that jeopardizes Nigeria’s aspirations to be a logistics and port hub for West Africa.
He criticized the NSC’s failure to regulate the industry effectively, saying that the council’s lack of oversight was undermining efforts to streamline and improve the port sector in line with the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) agreements.
He lamented that, given the stance of the Shippers’ Council on the issue, it would be difficult for the economic regulator to handle the International Cargo Tracking Note (ICTN).
Ogunojemite also accused the council of supporting holiday and weekend charges imposed by WACT and other seaport terminal operators.
He stated that the holiday charges and arbitrary increments had become a norm because terminal operators faced no repercussions.
“Initially, we thought the council would be able to handle it, but the way it is now, it is clear that the NSC has compromised and will not address any unjustified cost increases.
“We did not say that, as a business, you should not make a profit, but how can you justify a 100 percent increase? We all witnessed the 4 percent FOB introduced by Customs. What happened to it? This is already in the Customs Act, but it was suspended,” he added.