The House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has directed the Inspector-General of Police to compel the Mediterranean Shipping Company Nigeria Limited (MSCNL) to appear before it, following a petition by the Citizens Whistleblowers Coalition (CWC) accusing the firm of tax evasion and unfair trade practices.

The directive was issued during the committee?s sitting on July 2, after MSCNL failed to honour two previous invitations and refused to respond to the petition, despite being served both directly and through a national newspaper publication.

The Deputy Chairman of the committee, Hon. Martins Nwogu, who presided over the session, ordered that the company?s Managing Director, Andrew Lynch, and Deputy Managing Director, Jake Iosso, be compelled to appear at the next hearing scheduled for July 31.

Counsel to the whistleblowers, Hon. Uzoma Abonta, condemned MSCNL?s disregard for Nigerian laws and institutions, and called for the potential revocation of the company?s operational licence should it persist in defying legislative summons.

Abonta also urged the committee to invite key regulatory agencies in the maritime sector?including the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC), Nigerian Shippers Council, and Nigerian Customs Service?to support the investigation.

The committee invoked Sections 88 and 89 of the Nigerian Constitution, which empower the National Assembly to investigate matters and summon individuals. Specifically, it applied Section 89 (c) and (d) to enforce compliance.

The CWC?s petition accuses MSCNL of multiple infractions, including arbitrary charges, shipment delays, and failure to accurately declare revenue in Nigeria?its largest market in Africa?despite the company?s global revenue exceeding ?83 billion.

The petition said, ?MSC?s shipping practices are often depicted by many as being oppressive and unfair to Nigerians, especially as it relates to demurrage and detention charges.

?MSC prides itself as the largest Container line worldwide, with over 200,000 employees and revenues over ?86 billion. However, a company, no matter its size, should have regard for the laws of the land where it generates revenue.

?Over the years, stakeholders in the nation?s Maritime industry have continued to cry out against the malpractices being perpetrated in the nation?s Maritime transport industry by MSC Nigeria Limited.

?In May 28, 2021, Importers and clearing agents, under the auspices of Nigerian Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders and the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, threatened to stop shipping consignments into Nigeria through MSC Shipping Line over allegations of container deposit scams allegedly being perpetuated by officials of the company in Nigeria. This, of course, will affect the volume of imports into the country, with grave implications for the nation?s economy.

?MSC Nigeria Limited, allegedly, collects container deposits from freight forwarders and licensed customs agents acting on behalf of the importers, but they fail to refund the money after the container has been returned. The company collects deposits ranging from N200,000 to N400,000 on 20-foot containers and 40-foot containers, respectively.? (The Nation)

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