- Shippers’ Council visits PTML terminal
By Kenneth Jukpor
Truckers operating in the nation’s port sector have agreed to 30 percent decrease in their charges as part of efforts to support port operations under the lockdown occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic.
This decision was reached when the management of Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) met with haulers yesterday to discuss adherence to health and safety guidelines during this period of COVID-19 pandemic.
Recall that the Council has been making efforts to attain moderation and standardisation of haulage rates as part of efforts to have predictable charges requisite for business planning for importers and freight agents.
“It was agreed at the meeting that truckers haulage rates be reviewed downwards by thirty percent during the lockdown period,” NSC said in a press release signed by the Deputy Director, Public Relations, Rakiya Zubairu.
The haulers agreed with the Council that the light road traffic makes their work easier.
The Council also observed that truckers were not taking specfied precautions as issued by health authorities, hence, they were reminded of their potential to spread the virus in the course of their travels across Nigeria.
According to the NSC management, the meeting was convened to discuss the operations of truckers under the pandemic and the cost element.
During the meeting, the haulers brought to the attention of the Council several problems confronting them; ranging from extortion, laxity on the part of freightforwarders to the current all-present fear of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The management of the Council assured the haulage operators that it would look into their other concerns with a view to finding lasting solutions for the benefit of all stakeholders.
Meanwhile, as part of efforts to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in the port community, the management of NSC also visited the PTML terminal at Tin Can Island to assess compliance with health and safety guidelines.
The Health Safety Environment officer said the management of the terminal recognises the potential havoc the disease can wreak on the business.
It is this consciousness that has resulted in strict enforcement on the
premises of the use of hand sanitizers, gloves and face masks, in addition to constant enlightenment on the
importance of personal hygiene and social distancing.
The management of PTML expressed appreciation to the Council for not dropping the ball even before the lockdown was imposed by government.
Shippers’ Council also commended PTML for constantly striving to maintain international standards and urged
the terminal to keep up the good work.
