The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) 100 percent Compliance Team has rejected demurrage imposed by shipping companies and terminal operators during the EndSars lockdown period.
The National Coordinator of the team, Alhaji Ibrahim Tanko, made this known in Lagos on Saturday.
According to him, it has come to our knowledge that some shipping companies and terminal operators have already started charging storage and demurrage for the period of EndSARS protest.
He noted that this was without recourse to other consideration for security of lives and property.
“Following the ENDSARS Nigerian Youths Protest which lasted for more than a week now, the NAGAFF 100 per cent Compliance Team wish to appeal to shipping companies and terminal operators in Lagos not to impose demurrage/rent. First consideration world over in any crisis period is security of lives and property and it is most unfortunate to note that, otherwise is the case here.
“We want to say a big No to that effect”.
Tanko said they had expected shipping companies and terminal operators to show some concern, love, solidarity and pity for Nigerian youths and those importers who lost their beloved ones in the struggle for good governance.
He noted that NAGAFF 100 per cent Compliance Team would not fold its hands and watch its members being extorted for no fault of theirs.
He said the team would resist such demurrage by shipping companies and terminal operators.
“We will mobilise in most civil manner other associations, truck owners, clearing agents and port users in a card-carrying protest against shipping companies and terminal operators to block their gates and entrances until our demands are met. We, therefore, call on the shipping companies and terminal operators to refund with immediate effect the demurrae to those who have already paid. We will escalate this matter after 24 hours of this notice if they (shipping companies and terminal operators) fail to heed to our prayers. However, we will not forget the good working relationship we have with you to crave for your anticipated understanding”.
