Following the disagreement over requirement for entry into Ports and Terminal Multiservices Ltd. (PTML) Terminals, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has restated its position that the “PTML Management respect the Ports Order’s on matters of access control.”
He argued that all freight forwarders with identification card issued by the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) with the approval of Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) being the Chief Security Officer of the seaports and terminals should enter the terminal to carry out their legitimate businesses, adding that it was a breach of the Port Order for the terminal to only admit agents based on Form C30 of the Licensed Customs Agents.
He advised that the PTML management should adopt the Register of Freight Forwarders as compiled by CRFFN for the purposes of access control responsibilities, and listed the association’s demands thus:
1. Access into the terminal should be free
2. Any administrative cost should be paid to NPA as the landlord of the port in line with Ports Order.
3. Access control measures should continue to exist without hindering access to Customs Officers on duty and other related service providers connected to cargo clearance out of Customs control in PTML.
4. PTML is being encouraged to differentiate its security zone from the users end in accordance with international best practice on ports management and administration.
5. That PTML should seek and obtain the register of Freight Forwarders of
Nigeria under the control and regulations of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN) to enable her seamless access control measures.
6. That a Freight Forwarders mini cargo village be provided to enhance shelter against scorch from sun and during rainy season for all Freight Forwarders and Licensed Customs Agents operating at PTML/Grimaldi.
However, since the beginning of the faceoff between the association and the terminal concerning access allowed the freight forwarders, the management of PTML has insisted that its control measures for access into the terminal is done in line with the provisions to secure the facility.