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Freight agents protesting at the NAHCO cargo shed as crisis erupted at Lagos airport over storage charges, yesterday.
Business activities at the cargo section of Lagos airports were grounded yesterday as freight agents protested at the ground handling companies over storage charges demanded by the companies for the lockdown period.
After observing the one-month lockdown to curb the COVID-19 pandemic in Lagos, freight forwarders resumed at the airports on Monday May 4th 2020, only to find out that Nigerian Aviation Handling Company (NAHCO) Plc and Skyway Aviation Handling Company (SAHCO) have slammed demurrage charges for goods uncleared as well as consignments which arrived during the lockdown.
While the ground handling companies reduced the cost to 50 percent of their previous storage charges for the lockdown period, the protesting freight agents demanded 100 percent waivers for the period as was obtained at the seaports.
Recall that some freight forwarders raised concerns that despite President Mohammadu Buhari’s directive that airport operations be shutdown completely to curb the spread of coronavirus in the country, normal operations at the cargo section of Lagos airport indicating that colossal sums would be demanded as demurrage after the lockdown.
Speaking with our correspondent on this issue, the President of Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics on Nigeria (APFFLON) Mr. Frank Ogunojemite said the importers and freight agents were directed by the President to stay at home, therefore, ground handling companies should waive storage charges for the period.
The APFFLON boss said, “Is it the fault of importers and freight agents that there was a lockdown? How can these companies charge us for the lockdown period? We expect 100 percent storage free period and nothing less. As a result of this crisis no business activity has taken place at SAHCO or NAHCO.”
“I see this as an act of wickedness on the part of ground handling companies because they could work out a rebate with Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN). They would have proof of consignments that they afforded free rent and they can get a similar compensation from FAAN. It is just wickedness.”
“Since President Buhari’s directive suspending airport operations, there was no other circular or statement directing airports to reopen. So, how would we have cleared these cargoes?”, Ogunojemite queried.
In a bid to get reactions from the groumd handling companies, MMS Plus reached the Public Relations Officer of SAHCO, Mrs. Vanessa Uansohia who declined speaking on the issue.
Meanwhile, the Head, Corporate Communications at NAHCO, Mr. Samuel Akinrinmade, expressed confidence that the ongoing negotiation activities would be able to resolve the matter and a press release would be issued if deemed necessary.
Also speaking on the conflict, the President of National Association of Freight Forwarders and Consolidators, NAFFAC, Prince Adeyinka Bakare, told MMS Plus that a meeting has been slated between the ground handling companies and freight associations this morning.
“We are having a meeting with the ground handling companies on Wednesday. After that meeting, we would have full details of this issue and probably come to an agreement”, Bakare said.
By Kenneth Jukpor & Ayoola Olaitan
