We Are Going Bankrupt, Importers Cry Out Over Trapped Cargos

[Richard Akindele]

As the congestion at the Lagos Port continues to build up, importers under the aegis of Promise Land Importers Association of Nigeria (PLIAN) have cried out to the federal government to urgently come to their aid before they go bankrupt.

The group noted that their goods, most of which were bought with loans from banks, have been trapped in the port for over six months. They said that the banks from which they borrowed money to finance their business are on their necks while it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet their financial obligations.

They explained that the introduction of destination inspection scheme has made clearing process cumbersome and difficult. A spokesman of the group, Chief Mike Ajah, Managing Director of Ojitson International Company Ltd, told Vanguard that they are being pushed around by the duty collecting banks, shipping companies and the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS).

According to him, "The problem we are having now is how to get our containers out of the port. For over five months now we have not been able to remove even one container, while my company alone has over 15 containers there. You go to the bank (duty collecting banks), the bank will tell you to go to the shipping company and our agents will be going from the bank to the shipping company on a daily basis. After they complete a set of documentation for clearance, they would say it is not okay. They would say; go back to the bank and collect it. That is the problem we have been facing in the last four to five months, we are unable to bring out even a container."

Despite the fact that their consignments which comprise used vehicles parts or "Tokunbo parts" and electronics are delayed in the port for no fault of theirs, they are made to pay heavy demurrage on them. In his words, "we are made to pay demurrage on the containers whenever they are to come out of the port, the terminal operators will tell you it does not concern them.

Vanguard.