The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has intervened in the release of over fifty (50) export laden containers for members of the Niger Shippers’ Association, which was detained at the premises of Millennium Shipping & Marine Services Limited, Marina, by the Nigeria Police in Lagos recently.
In a formal letter of complaint sent via the Council’s North Central Coordinating Office, Jos, Plateau State, titled “Petition Against Lagos State Commissioner of Police” jointly signed by the President & Secretary of the Niger State Shippers’ Association: Messrs Mohammed Makun Baro and Elder Dada Olumuyiwa Ayodele stated that “ our members goods which are supposed to be exported to different parts of the World were impounded by the Lagos State Government, some of the goods are perishable goods which had put our members in serious problems with the bank loan’’
The Association however added that their “clients whose goods have being impounded are thinking that our members are playing on their intelligence and has caused untold hardship to our members, crippled the economy and it is difficult for us to sell Agro goods compared to previous years. The implication on the economy was that it will increase the problem of unemployment, while Central Bank of Nigeria, Commercial banks and the Country will not benefit from the export proceeds and trucks will refuse to travel to Lagos.’’
However, in order to resolve the complaint amicably for the interest of Trade Facilitation and Ease of Doing Business in the Country, the Council investigated the matter with appropriate agencies involved and discovered that the exporters did not deviate and no charges were leveled against the cargoes by either the Police or any other agencies nor violate the directives of any Government agency, as such their Exports boxes be released and as a result of this intervention, the synergy and commitment demonstrated by all agencies involved, the containers were released and conveyed to the port for export.
The Council also realized that the detainment of the said containers followed an earlier directive by the Federal Ministry of Transportation and the Lagos State Government while on on-the-spot assessment of the port access roads and stoppage of barge operations along the Marina corridor to enable the contractor handling the rail projects to complete the contract on time.
The prompt intervention of the Council has not only helped the exporters, but obviate what could be considered as monumental loss to the Nation’s economy as regards the exports proceeds.
As a result of the Council’s intervention, over N1,000.000.000.00 (One Billion Naira) only was saved and over 50 fifty impounded export boxes were released. The complainant was grateful and thank the Council for saving the economy.