As the #EndBadGovernance protests enter its seventh day, Freight service providers, including customs brokers and truckers, have called for waivers on storage and demurrage charges.
The Matrix reports that the protests have significantly impacted port operations, leading to skeletal services and disrupted freight logistics.
Consequently, Freight service providers, including customs brokers and truckers, have largely stayed away from the ports, opting to avoid incurring storage and demurrage charges for their clients’ imports.
The absence of these key players has further compounded the challenges faced by importers during this period.
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Reports indicate that terminal operators and shipping lines have refused to grant waivers for storage and demurrage fees during the protests.
This stance has been criticized by stakeholders who argue that the economic hardship and disruptions caused by the protests warrant such waivers.
Dr. Eugene Nweke, a prominent figure in the freight logistics sector and former President of National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) addressed these concerns in a recent statement, emphasizing that freight service providers should not be mischaracterized as participating in the protests.
“National protests should be treated as an act of God under marine insurance and shipping practices,” he argued. “Similar practices permit ship diversion during such events. Neither shippers nor their agents planned or participated in the national strike action, so it is reasonable to expect that demurrage and
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“The Freight Service Providers (Customs brokers & Truckers) are not joining the protests against economic hardship,” Dr. Nweke asserted.
“This misconception should be corrected. Freight logistics providers, much like medical professionals, cannot abandon their responsibilities during national protests due to their essential service role.”
Dr. Nweke highlighted that freight logistics providers are committed to safeguarding client investments and cargo, which is why they avoid taking delivery of cargo during national strikes or protests.
He noted that professional freight logistics providers, akin to doctors and nurses, are required to maintain their operations to protect their clients’ trading capital.
“A professional freight logistics provider upholds its duty to safeguard cargo, which includes avoiding physical port delivery of cargo during national strikes or protests unless higher safety measures are guaranteed,” he said.
