The Nigerian Shippers Council has frowned at the frequent arrest of vessels by different government agencies that it scares investors from the country.
The council through its Executive Secretary/Chief Executive Officer, Bar. Hassan Bello, disclosed that the development had made the owners of such vessels, who have the right to decide the countries to take cargoes, to loose fortunes in the process.
“If the business environment is not conducive, investors won’t come and that would frustrate our economic diversification plans. About three years ago, European Union wrote a letter to Nigeria over the arrest of vessels and revenue lost by owners over such arrest,” he said.
Bello added that the introduction of the 100 per cent increase in tariff paid on fairly used imported vehicles by immediate past administration has affected 70 per cent of investment made by the owners of ports terminal multipurpose services limited contrary.
The shift in policy, which was from 35 to 70 per cent tariff payable midway into the concession agreement has affected the volume of fairly used vehicles imported into the country and by extension the vision of the investors to make profit.
“There should be consistency in government policies so as to encourage foreign investment in the country. Terminal operators should take into consideration the current pain the country is going through by being responsible and not rent seeking. I expect them to withdraw the case instituted in Court against the Council so that issues could be discussed and sorted out amicably,” he added.
Also, an industry watcher, Major Henry Ade Adejumobi (rtd), urged FG to empower the council with powers to carry out its oversight regulatory functions in order to address maritime challenges ranging from abandoned cargo, massive security threats, veritable black spots and dilapidated cargo handling equipment among others.
He added that the government should not only be committed to agreement with terminal operators and shipping companies but also to shipping agents, freight forwarders, port users and providers of port services.
