Revealed : Why Shippers’ Council Sealed Marine Company

• APMDC ignored 2 warning letters, several invitations from NSC

(Report by Udeme Clement):

The news update reaching our online platform revealed that Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) pragmatically sealed an organisation identified as, Associated Port & Marine Development Company (APMDC) Limited, because of
non- compliance with regulatory directives on its operations in the maritime industry.

Financial Business News inquest revealed that Shippers’ Council as a regulatory agency in the industry clamped down on APMDC also due to what its described as arbitrary charges.

Our correspondent gathered that, as a regulatory agency of the Federal Government, Shippers’ Council is empowered by law to oversee activities of shipping companies, to ensure they operate in tandem with government directives.

More so, the Council also has constitutional right to sanction erring firms deviating from government directives.

An official press statement signed by NSC and made available to our Correspendent reads:
“APMDC Limited had its operations shutdown by Port Economic Regulator, Nigerian Shippers’ Council

“The cargo – consolidator had been issued several notices to address infractions ranging from charging in forex to non-compliance with approved nomenclature of charges, such as (Transport Adjustment charges, non-vessel operating carriers), outright disregard of terms of mediation reached at NSC and unresolved complaints of over one year, among others

“The Council’s team was led by Mr. Adesina Sarumi, an Assistant Director in Regulatory Services Department”.

Speaking after the enforcement exercise, the Deputy Director, Monitoring and Enforcement Division, Mrs. Celine Ifeora, emphasised that NSC sealed APMDC’s premises following non-compliance with Council’s directive as Port Economic Regulator.

Mrs Ifeora disclosed ; “NSC had invited APMDC for meetings to resolve the issues but they refused to honour the invitations. The Council was left with no choice than to carry out the enforcement exercise by sealing APMDC’s premises”.

Her words ; “APMDC would remain closed until the issues are addressed appropriately.
They don’t want to listen to any agency representing government. That was why we went out to carry out the enforcement exercise.

“Two warning letters had been forwarded, asking them not to introduce new tariffs and charges without the consent of government but they refused to comply. Rather, they introduced another new tariff heading.”

In the same vein, Mr. Sarumi, who led the team, pointed out ; “The enforcement exercise was informed by the need to address anomalies at APMDC.
These revolved around issues such as introduction of charges not approved by the Council, as well as making payments in dollars on services rendered in Nigeria, among others.”

Also, Alhaji Bashir Ambi of Complaints Unit following the exercise said that his Unit had received series of complaints against APMDC; but all efforts to speak with APMDC management were unsuccessful.