The Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) has petitioned the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) over additional charges arising from the recently introduced truck call-up system and export terminal operations at Onne Port in Rivers State.
In a letter addressed to the Managing Director of the NPA, Dr Abubakar Dantsoho, and signed by APFFLON President, Frank Ogunojemite, the association expressed concern that the new call-up arrangement has created operational confusion and imposed extra financial burdens on port users.
APFFLON noted that exporters are now faced with new fees and bureaucratic challenges that discourage export activities and contradict the Federal Government’s drive to boost non-oil exports.
According to the group, one of the firms managing the process currently collects ₦35,000 on each export and import container, regardless of size, while another operator handling the electronic call-up system charges ₦15,000 per transaction, plus 7.5 per cent Value Added Tax (VAT).
The association described the development as concerning, particularly in view of the Federal Government’s efforts to reduce port operation costs, enhance the ease of doing business, and reposition Nigeria as a key maritime hub in West Africa.
“Adding further cost layers through a duplicative or commercially driven call-up system undermines these objectives and threatens Nigeria’s regional competitiveness,” APFFLON cautioned.
The group further noted that the situation at the export terminal in Onne Port is equally troubling.
“While we recognise the importance of maintaining order and managing traffic within port environments, it is worrisome that this truck call-up system has been implemented at Onne Port with associated costs, especially when the West Africa Container Terminal (WACT) already possesses adequate facilities to manage traffic effectively without imposing additional charges on port users,” the statement read.
APFFLON has therefore urged the NPA to suspend the call-up system pending a comprehensive stakeholder consultation and cost-benefit analysis, and to address the multiple levies currently imposed on exporters and importers.
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