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The Sea Empowerment and Research Centre (SEREC) has called for a thorough documentary and regulatory investigation into the alleged N6,000 charge per container, as it demand for a refund of about N178 million unapproved charges at bonded terminals, empty-container returns, holding-bay capacity, truck immobilisation and detention charges involving shipping-line operations in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by Head of Research of SEREC, Eugene Nweke, said the investigation should establish whether the charge was actually imposed, who introduced or authorised it, the specific service it was meant to cover and whether payment was mandatory or voluntary.
SEREC also urged the authorities to determine whether the charge was captured in the approved terminal tariff and reflected in official invoices or receipts, as well as identify the individuals or entities that collected, received or benefited from the funds.
The centre further called for verification of the accounting records supporting the N178 million and clarification on whether any association was involved in collecting or administering the charge.
The research group said the investigation should also establish whether the relevant regulatory authority was aware of or approved the charge and, if found to have been imposed without authorisation, determine the appropriate remedial action.
According to the centre, these issues should be resolved through verifiable documentary evidence, urging all parties involved to exercise restraint and allow the regulatory process to establish the facts and determine the appropriate course of action.
“A compulsory charge should correspond to an identifiable service, facility, statutory obligation or legitimate contractual entitlement.
The basic chain should be – service rendered, approved basis, transparent charge, official invoice, traceable payment and accountable beneficiary,” SEREC stated.
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SEREC further expressed concerned about the cumulative effect of numerous small charges within the Nigerian port environment, noting that when several such charges accumulate across documentation, handling, storage, access, truck movement, delivery and other stages of the logistics chain, the aggregate becomes a significant component of the landed cost of cargo.
SEREC warned that terminal operating environments must not become platforms for parallel or unauthorised charges, noting that informal charging structures could create incentives for preferential treatment, artificial delays, service syndication, rent-seeking and other forms of operational distortion.
The centre recommended that relevant terminals and parties should provide invoices, receipts, transaction records and payment trails necessary to establish the facts, noting that all bonded and off-dock terminals should be subjected to periodic review of their charges and service standards.
SEREC also proposed that shipping lines should maintain adequate and accessible receiving arrangements for empty containers withholding bay, whose operational standards must be reviewed.
SEREC urged the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to strengthen its monitoring of professional conduct and collaborate with recognised industry associations to develop a unified Professional Code of Port Conduct.
The centre said the proposed framework should provide clear guidelines on unauthorised cargo-related collections, conflicts of interest, intimidation, disruption of port operations, professional rivalry and improper representation.
SEREC added that the code should also establish mechanisms for dispute resolution and escalation, financial accountability and effective collaboration between industry practitioners and relevant regulatory agencies.
