Freight forwarders incurred over N200bn demurrage, as labour unions strike takes toll on port industry

Freight forwarders incurred over N200bn demurrage, as labour unions strike takes toll on port industry
…APFFLON faults NLC, TUC on industrial action, says incessant strike poses a threat to Nigerian economy

The nationwide strike embarked upon by the Labour Unions on June 3 – 4, 2024 has taken its toll on the Port industry, as Freight Forwarders incurred demurrage running into billions of Naira.

Sequel to the industrial action, which has been suspended for five days, Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria- APFFLON, ferociously criticised the Nigeria Labour Congress, NLC and Trade Union Congress, TUC, for not considering small business owners and Nigerians who are not on the pay roll of Federal Government, before taking such drastic action.

APFFLON frowned at the total shutdown of the seaports, stressing that incessant strike by Labour Unions poses a big threat to the nation’s economy, especially the port industry.

In a press statement signed by APFFLON, its National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, revealed that over N200 billion must have accrued as demurrage for the two days the strike lasted.

He condemned the Labour Unions in strong terms for always embarking on industrial action for selfish reasons. Ogunojemite accused the Unions of insensitivity, not looking at the condition of ordinary people struggling to survive before taking drastic decisions.

According to APFFLON President, “We are disturbed by the level of selfishness the trade Unions have been exhibiting over time. Why are they punishing ordinary people by shutting down power supply. Plunging the whole nation into darkness does not only affect the government because they use tax payers money to buy diesel to power their offices. What of the poor masses who are not in government’s employment, artisans, small and medium scale business owners whose businesses depend on electricity ?

“At a time like this when some people can no longer afford to feed themselves, a time families are facing excruciating economic situation, some can not afford malaria drugs, let alone hospital bills, a time people are living in hopelessness because of very harsh economic policies, and trade Unions are emasculating businesses by shutting down power supply; when there are other ways to drive home their demands.

“Head or tail, it is still the masses who will suffer, the unemployed and small business owners. If the Federal Government agrees to pay N400,000 as minimum wage, prices of commodities will increase significantly that ordinary people would starve to death.”

“The Maritime Workers Union of Nigeria, MWUN, joined the nationwide strike in solidarity with NLC/TUC without considering the economic implications. Shipping Companies and Terminal operators will not consider waiver for the number of days the strike lasted.

“Who pays those charges ? Does that not amount to more financial burden on importers? Some actions taken by the leaderships of these Unions are ill-conceived and anti people.

“It’s time for freight forwarders and leaderships of all maritime associations to come together and resist NLC and TUC incessant calls for industrial actions if at all we revere the profession.

“Freight forwarders should wake up and protect their livelihood. They should save their importers from incurring avoidable demurrage as a result of strike action. Over N200 billion must have accrued as demurrage for the two days the strike lasted.”

APFFLON National President, Otunba Frank Ogunojemite, advised the leadership of the Labour Unions not to compound the problem of ordinary people while pursuing selfish goals. In his words, “these leaders are not fighting for our collective well-being, the Labour Unions are pressure groups that continue to fight for the welfare of those of them in government employment.

“The only time the labour leaders come out to mount pressure on the government is when a particular policy does not favour them. They remain in their shells each time government reels out anti people policy.”