By: Manoah Kikekon
LAGOS, NIGERIA – The Importers Association of Nigeria (IMAN), South-West Zone, has strongly rejected a proposed hike in shipping charges by international shipping lines, warning that the move will trigger a catastrophic surge in inflation and drive the cost of everyday commodities out of reach for average Nigerians.
The association raised the alarm amidst an already grueling economic climate, stating that the proposed tariff adjustments at the nation’s seaports will paralyze trading activities and worsen the inventory pile-up in empty marketplaces.
Speaking on the developments, the President of IMAN, South-West Zone, Mr. Joseph Adjoko, explained that any further upward review of port charges would directly translate into a heavier financial burden for end-consumers. He noted that the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports has already reached an unsustainable threshold.
“We are rejecting the increment because it will reflect directly on the economy and on the masses," Adjoko stated. "The cost of clearing goods will increase and this will worsen inflation. Currently, clearing costs for some consignments range between ₦15 million and ₦16 million, and could rise to nearly ₦20 million if the new charges are implemented.”
Adjoko painted a grim picture of the current retail reality, lamenting that importers are already holding onto immense amounts of unsold inventory due to a sharp decline in consumer purchasing power.
“Our warehouses are full and there are no buyers because of the high cost of goods. Now they want to increase the cost again,” he added.
IMAN heavily criticized both the multinational shipping companies and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) for keeping the primary financiers of port trade—the importers—completely in the dark regarding pricing templates. The association alleged that the critical actors who pay these bills were excluded from the negotiation table.
“We asked them to provide templates showing how they arrived at the charges, but they could not provide any. Yet, the importers are the ones paying,” Adjoko revealed. “There is no doubt that global conflicts may affect shipping costs, but let us know exactly how the figures were arrived at and what specific costs are being transferred to importers.”
The IMAN chief further slammed shipping companies for exploiting local traders through arbitrary surcharges, such as passing the financial burden of managing and returning empty containers back to the importers after cargo delivery. "What concerns the importer with an empty container after taking delivery of goods?" he questioned.
When confronted with the growing dissatisfaction from the trading community, the Head of Public Relations for the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC), Rebecca Adamu clarified that the regulatory body is not unilaterally driving the price adjustment.
According to Adamu, the Senate Committee on Marine Transport had previously intervened in the brewing crisis following aggressive protests by exporters and maritime stakeholders at the Apapa ports. She emphasized that the NSC's current capacity is strictly limited to diplomacy.
“The Council is not the final decision-maker in this matter. It is essentially between the shipping companies and the stakeholders,” Adamu explained. “We are currently awaiting the outcome of those consultations. At this stage, the matter is no longer within the direct control of the Shippers’ Council; it is now with the National Assembly committee.”