Some freight forwarders on Thursday expressed concern about the sharp practices perpetrated by terminal officials in the course of loading cargoes.

The freight forwarders told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in separate interviews in Lagos that the attitude of some officials of the terminals was causing delays in cargo delivery chain.

Mr Collins Ibe, who has two containers at the SDV Kirikiri Terminal, said that positioning containers for customs examination alone had taken him seven days.

He said that the containers were stacked in such a way that one would need to beg the crane operators with money to dig out the containers.

A female clearing agent with the Sea Height Services, Miss Gladys Amadi, a said that sharp practices in the terminals had become rampant.

“From the issuance of Terminal Delivery Order to clearance of trucks for loading, some terminal officials feast on agents without recourse.”

Mr Inuwa Itodo, another freight forwarder at Brawal Towers Terminal, said that most delays in cargo clearance arose from the use of faulty cranes.

“Some bonded terminals use cranes that are too old, it is the habit of many of the terminal operators to cut cost at the detriment of the freight forwarders.

“Because of the undue delays, we pay demurrage to shipping companies and rucks owners.”

A port user, Mr Aina Azeez, told NAN that the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) should form an alliance to check the extortions. (NAN)

•Photo shows Apapa Wharf.

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