Clearing agents threaten to sue NPA, terminal operators, shipping lines over unpaid COVID-19 waivers

By Sulaimon Salau

For refusing to refund demurrage and rent waivers granted shippers and clearing agents during the hit of COVID-19 pandemic last year, the National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has threatened drag the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators and shipping line agencies in Nigeria to court for redress.

The National President, NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, in a petition to the Federal Government, obtained by SlyeNews threatened to file litigation if the parties refused to refund the 35 days demurrage waivers and rents approved for the relief of importers and licensed customs agents on COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

He described the action of the shipping service providers as a clear contravention of international maritime obligation on COVID 19 pandemic and the presidential directive on the relief for licensed customs agents.

The letter, addressed to the Secretary to the Federal Government, alleged that the shipping service providers have ignored the order by the Presidency to refund the 35 days relief granted the importers/ licensed customs agents under the COVID 19 pandemic.

Amiwero recalled that the first letter had been written as far back as January this year to the shipping service providers in respect of the waiver on the days of the lockdown, which cumulated to 35 days for the period, which conform with principle of force majeure restricting the movement of all agencies especially the Importer/ Licensed Customs Agents (LCA) who were mostly affected.

He said that it is worrisome that the NPA could not do much to get the service providers make the refund after the management had been presented evidence of the collection by both terminal operators and shipping companies.

 “The Management of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) was forwarded with the Terminal Operators and Shipping Companies receipt of payment made by the importers/Licensed Customs Agents (LCA) which falls under the date of the waiver of the thirty five days that was illegally and forcefully collected, which was not paid up till date the letter is attached and marked appendix 3”.

The NCMDLCA urged the federal government to set up a committee to enforce the refund by the terminal operators and shipping companies.

By Sulaimon Salau

For refusing to refund demurrage and rent waivers granted shippers and clearing agents during the hit of COVID-19 pandemic last year, the National Council of Managing Directors of Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) has threatened drag the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), terminal operators and shipping line agencies in Nigeria to court for redress.

The National President, NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero, in a petition to the Federal Government, obtained by SlyeNews threatened to file litigation if the parties refused to refund the 35 days demurrage waivers and rents approved for the relief of importers and licensed customs agents on COVID-19 pandemic lockdown.

He described the action of the shipping service providers as a clear contravention of international maritime obligation on COVID 19 pandemic and the presidential directive on the relief for licensed customs agents.

The letter, addressed to the Secretary to the Federal Government, alleged that the shipping service providers have ignored the order by the Presidency to refund the 35 days relief granted the importers/ licensed customs agents under the COVID 19 pandemic.

Amiwero recalled that the first letter had been written as far back as January this year to the shipping service providers in respect of the waiver on the days of the lockdown, which cumulated to 35 days for the period, which conform with principle of force majeure restricting the movement of all agencies especially the Importer/ Licensed Customs Agents (LCA) who were mostly affected.

He said that it is worrisome that the NPA could not do much to get the service providers make the refund after the management had been presented evidence of the collection by both terminal operators and shipping companies.

 “The Management of the Nigerian Port Authority (NPA) was forwarded with the Terminal Operators and Shipping Companies receipt of payment made by the importers/Licensed Customs Agents (LCA) which falls under the date of the waiver of the thirty five days that was illegally and forcefully collected, which was not paid up till date the letter is attached and marked appendix 3”.

The NCMDLCA urged the federal government to set up a committee to enforce the refund by the terminal operators and shipping companies.