The Shipping Trade Practitioners’ Association of Nigeria (STPAON) has issued a 48-hour ultimatum to authorities at the Port Harcourt port to reverse the recent increase (from N8 million to N89 million) in tariff on cargoes.

The group said the Port and Terminal Operators Nigeria Limited (PTOL) on April 1 reviewed tariff upward on cargoes in every vessel that offloads from N8 million to N89 million.

The association threatened to seek legal redress if PTOL failed to revert to the old tariff.

Babalola James, the acting spokesman for STPAON, told journalists in Port Harcourt on Sunday that the over 1,000 per cent increment had grounded economic activities at the port.

“The federal government, which gave concession rights to PTOL to manage the Port Harcourt port, mandated the company always to engage port stakeholders on any policy change.

“But regrettable, PTOL went ahead and increased the rate on April 1 without following the stipulations in the act that gave it the concession right.

“As an association, we are saying that PTOL does not have the legal right to increase tariff arbitrarily without engaging with port stakeholders,” Mr James stated.

According to him, at the inception of the new tariff, the Nigerian Ports Authority, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, the police, and other stakeholders met with PTOL management to resolve the issue.

Mr James claimed that at the meeting, PTOL management agreed with stakeholders to inaugurate a joint standing committee to examine the new tariff increase and make recommendations.

“The committee also resolved that PTOL should provide seamless port services devoid of delays in order to facilitate and actualise ease of doing business at the port. Unfortunately, PTOL has refused to implement the agreement reached by the joint committee to ensure industrial harmony.

“STPAON hereby gives 48 hours ultimatum to PTOL to implement the agreement reached by the joint committee,” he said.

The STPAON spokesman added that the failure by PTOL to implement the agreement would result in the association seeking redress in court.

“We call on the Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi, Executive Secretary of NSC, Hassan Bello, NPA, EFCC, and DSS, among others, to intervene on the matter,” he appealed.

On his part, the Patron of STPAON, Kingsley Nwulu, said the actions of PTOL had increased the financial burden on citizens and businesses at the Port Harcourt port.

(NAN)