LOCKDOWN: NARTO, NAFFAC Attribute Stranded Export Laden Containers To Bank Closure

The Nigerian Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) and the Nigerian Association of Air Freight Forwarders and Consolidators ( NAFFAC) have attributed the trapped export laden containers for over two months to bank closures during the COVID19 pandemic lockdown across the country.

Recall that about 1,000 trucks laden with export consignments were reportedly trapped along the port corridors for months as the situation triggered reactions from the stakeholders.

Speaking with our correspondent last week, President General, (NAFFAC), Prince Adeyinka Bakare maintained that closure of financial institutions during COVID19 pandemic, affected consignments free flow into the seaports which in turn led to the current challenges faced by shippers. .

Adeyinka also expressed worries over failure of the part of Nigerian shippers to upgrade themselves with the current trends of online business transactions pointing out that some of the exporters are not equipped technically to carry out automated system of cargo clearance from the ports.

The NAFFAC boss who also doubles as the Chairman, Nigeria Association of Agriculture Produce Dealers (NAAPD), lamented that during the peak period of the lockdown, haulage freight charges dropped significantly, despite the 30% slash reduction as agreed between the Nigerian Shippers Council and truck owners.

According to him, unavailability of trucks affected movement of exports from the owners warehouse to ports ,noting that the banks transaction was ineffective during the lockdown.

He added that freight charges during the period also dropped due to scarcity of trucks to lift cargoes from numerous warehouses to the seaports.

In a similar view, Head of Operations, Council for Maritime Truck Unions and Associations (COMTUA), Alhaji Inuwa Abdullahi stated that insincerity on the part of the shipping companies and concessionaires also affected delay of cargo movement for onward exportation.

Inuwa who is also a chieftain of NARTO noted that at the initial stage of the lockdown, bank contributed to the stranded containers along the port corridors adding that some freight agents were also not available to perfect customs documentations of the clearance procedures.

He noted that the 30% slash introduced by the Nigerian Shippers’ Council on haulage freight rate did not yield the desired results following the scarcity of trucks during the period; a situation that contributed to the stranded export consignments.

Also corrobating the delay of export for export, Head of Operations NARTO, Chief Stephen Okafor said the lockdown affected the whole sectors of the economic which was not limited to the maritime transport sector.

Okafor admitted that the meeting with the council in line with the 30% slash on haulage charges only covered the lockdown period even as he added “There was scarcity of trucks during the period.”