Customs agents in Nigeria have appealed to the federal government to direct the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to suspend the proposed increase in local shipping charges pending a proper review by the technical standing committee.

The call was made by the President of the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Lucky Amiwero, in a petition addressed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.

Amiwero argued that the proposed increase violates the existing Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) governing local shipping charges between service providers and users in the maritime sector, which was approved by the federal government.

According to him, Articles 2(b) and 4 of the MOU clearly stipulate that any adjustment in shipping charges must receive the agreement of all relevant parties through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council before implementation.

He explained that the proper procedure requires the proposed increase, including its justification and percentage, to be submitted to the standing committee for review and consideration before approval can be granted.

“We hereby request the suspension of any local shipping charges increase pending the review by the standing committee, which entails the submission of detailed information on the proposed increase, the percentage involved and whether such increase is necessary,” Amiwero stated.

He further noted that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council is expected to forward all details relating to the proposed increase to the standing committee, whose members are signatories to the MOU, for proper examination in line with federal government guidelines.

Amiwero also referenced previous procedures adopted in similar situations, citing official communications from the NSC in 2003 which followed the same review process before any increase in shipping charges was approved.

According to him, requests by the Shipping Association of Nigeria (SAN) regarding shipping charge adjustments had always been forwarded to the technical standing committee through the Nigerian Shippers’ Council for review in compliance with the provisions of the MOU.

The customs agents maintained that adherence to due process is necessary to protect stakeholders in the maritime sector and prevent arbitrary increases in shipping costs.