Terminal operators frown at NSC boss over derogatory criticism

The Seaport Terminal Operators Association of Nigeria (STOAN) has urged the executive secretary of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Hassan Bello, to be mindful of his criticism against private terminal operators at the nation’s seaports.

In a statement issued over the weekend and signed by Bolaji Akinola, STOAN spokesman, Bello was accused of a deliberate act to scare investors and port users from patronising Nigerian ports through unsubstantiated assertions on port charges.

Recall that the current controversy between the terminal operators and the NSC resulted from the standing order given to terminal operators by the Shippers Council to reverse the current terminal charges to that, which was said to have been approved by Federal Government in 2009. The association is currently in court challenging the council’s order.

According to Akinola, Bello’s comments, which are published in the media and read worldwide, portray Nigerian ports in negative light before the international shipping community.

“He has been deliberately making false and derogatory statements against terminal operators to the media with the aim of damaging our reputation. He has also been creating division and tension in the maritime industry as he has consistently tried to incite one group against the other thereby risking possible labour unrest and disruption of services in the sector,” the STOAN spokesman alleged.

Explaining further, Akinola said that “when someone in such position makes such utterances, the international shipping community reacts and vessels which plan to come to Nigeria will either come at a premium or go elsewhere. This can also scare away the much-needed foreign direct investment in the maritime sector.

“STOAN modest achievements and system-oriented operations within a relatively short time have been identified to be unfavourable to those who would have preferred a business-as-usual disorderly environment. Without a doubt, terminal operators have added much value to our ports and to the Nigerian economy in recent times.”

The STOAN statement further alleged that the Shippers’ Council boss comments were designed to seek relevance and justify the actions taken by the NSC, which the association was challenging in court.

“The various attacks and unfounded allegations being peddled around about excessive charges and rent seeking behaviour by operators are a figment of the imagination of NSC and a calculated attempt by Hassan Bello to discredit private operators who are committed under their Concession Agreements to the positive repositioning of Nigerian ports and adopting international best practices and internationally competitive rates/charges,” according to the statement.

He, however, described the Shippers’ Council position as a calculated attempt to undermine the achievements of terminal operators at the port and justify NSC’s purported appointment as regulator, which the association was challenging in court as being ultra vires its powers and lacking in statutory enablement.

Notwithstanding the tough operating business environment in Nigeria, STOAN members have invested over $1billion in the acquisition of modern cargo handling equipment, facility upgrade, information and communication technology and manpower training and development over the past nine years.

“No fewer than 1,204 modern cargo handling equipment has been acquired by private terminal operators across the various terminals at the nation’s six major seaports since 2006. The seaports include Lagos Port Complex and Tin Can Island Port, both in Lagos; Delta Port, Warri; Calabar Port, Calabar; Rivers Port and Onne Port, both in Rivers State.

“Contrary to Bello’s assertions, everyone including the Minister of Transport, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bureau of Public Enterprises, importers, freight forwarders, other very senior government officials and stakeholders have acknowledged that terminal operators have tremendously boosted efficiency at the nation’s seaport as shown by key performance indicators (KPIs) recorded by NPA.

“It is therefore regrettable that the council chooses to turn a blind eye to the truth and reality in order to be seen to be “working” as the purported commercial regulator of the industry. Suffice it to re-iterate in conclusion that his actions are contrary to the clear terms of the Concession Agreements between the terminal operators and the Federal Government of Nigeria to which the NSC is not a party,” Akinola said.