BREAKING: NPA Orders Concessionaires To Suspend Storage Charges For 14 Days With Effect From April 13th

In line with relief measures to port users due to outbreak of COVID-19- period ,the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) on Friday, has directed all terminal operators to extend the suspension of all applicable terminal storage fees on consignments (demurrage) for another fourteen days effective April 13, 2020.

This follows the extension of the Lockdown in response to the COVID-19 outbreak by President Muhammadu Buhari on Sunday, April 12, 2020.

Jatto A Adams, General Manager, Corporate and Strategic Communications
Nigerian Ports Authority in statement made available to Dailyfocus News noted that the gesture is in recognition of the pressure that the COVID-19 pandemic imposes on businesses in Nigeria.

Adams said : “The responsibility imposed on the Authority to relief this burden on its customers as well as attaining the objective of the Federal Government’s Ease of Doing Business Policy at this trying period.

He added that “The Authority states that compensation to terminal operators will be as spelt out in its April 8, 2020 letter to the terminal operators.

According to him, thee authority will not tolerate any form of non-compliance with directive and not hesitate to apply the appropriate sanctions.

Recall that earlier in the day the Nigerian Shippers Council had tasked shipping lines agencies operating in the country to suspend all demurrage charges on goods and consignments with effect from March 20th 2020.

By Roland Ekama