Shipping charges review: CP Agbaminola warns against disruption of port operations; urges parties to seek dialogue.
Shipping charges review: CP Agbaminola warns against disruption of port operations; urges parties to seek dialogue.
The Commissioner of Police, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, CP Oluwatoyin Iyabode Agbaminoja, on Tuesday, held a strategic meeting with representatives of freight forwarding associations including National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Africa Association of Professional Freight Forwarders and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON), Association of Nigeria Licenced Customs Agents (ANCLA), and the Nigerian Shippers’ Council to address ongoing concerns and tensions within the port sector as regards recent increment in shipping charges by shipping companies.
The meeting focused on the need to sustain peace, ensure uninterrupted port operations, and protect the nation’s trade ecosystem from disruption.
ASP Isaac Hundeyi, Police Public Relations Officer, Ports Authority Police (Western) Command, Lagos stated this in a press statement.
According to the statement, during the meeting, the CP urged all parties to sheath their swords, embrace constructive dialogue, and avoid actions such as picketing or protests that could lead to a shutdown of port activities.
She emphasized that Nigerian ports remain critical to the nation’s economy, serving as the gateway to international trade, and any disruption would have far-reaching consequences on the economy, supply chain, and national revenue.
CP Agbaminoja further assured the unions that their concerns and grievances would be given due attention through proper channels and in collaboration with relevant government agencies, including the Nigerian Shippers’ Council as the port economic regulator. She encouraged continuous engagement, mutual respect, and cooperation among all stakeholders to maintain industrial harmony within the port environment.
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council and union representatives present at the meeting commended the proactive intervention of the Ports Authority Police (Western) Command and agreed on the need to prioritize dialogue and peaceful resolution of disputes in the overall interest of the nation’s economy.
The Ports Authority Police (Western) Command reiterates its commitment to maintaining law and order across all port terminals, jetties, inland container depots, and bonded terminals, while also supporting all lawful engagements aimed at improving port efficiency, trade facilitation, and investor confidence.
