Controversy have started trailing the recent decision by the management of Nigerian Ports Authority to seal Hanover Bonded Terminal at TinCan Island, Lagos, over stripping of containers at their terminals and along the ports access roads.
A top freight forwarder had written to the NPA, accusing the terminal of violating an existing order that restricted terminals operators and other port users from stripping containers in their terminals or within the ports premises.
The terminal was shut down on January 16, 2021, by the NPA, over alleged stripping of containers in the terminal, which is contrary to NPA order.
The petition, which led to the shutdown of operations at the terminal since January 16 by NPA personnel, has triggered serious controversy among those whose trucks and consignments were locked up, while at the point of exit.
Speaking with Financial Street, the Chairman of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, TinCan Chapter, Muhammad Mojeed, lamented the attitude of the management of the terminal over the issue, describing it as unacceptable.
Mojeed explained that the impasse lingered because the management of the terminal hab not made the right moves.
Regretting the whole situation, he assured stakeholders that the terminal would leave no stone unturned in its efforts to resolve the issue before Wednesday.
He disclosed that he was working with the management of the terminal and had not rested since the shutdown, as it adversely affected the clients and the terminal.
“The chapter will not allow any agent whose consignment is locked up in Hanover Bonded Terminal to pay a dime as Terminal Charge, and go further to demand compensation for those whose containers have been on the trucks. The truck owners will not fail to demand demurrage from the owners of those consignments.
“NPA deemed it necessary to stop stripping of containers in the terminals within ports premises and along ports corridors, due to the gridlock that has continued to obstruct human and vehicular movements on ports access roads,” he said.
He assured them that his administration as TinCan Chapter Chairman of ANLCA would keep running an open-door policy, attending to everyone regardless of group affiliations.
