The House of Representatives is making a move to summon the European Community Ship Owners Association on a recent hike in Peak Period Surcharge (PSS) on containers billed for Nigeria, the House Committee Chairman on Ports and Harbour, Hon Datti Garba Mohammed, has said.
The PSS was $200 but jerked to between $1,000 and $1,500 per container, a situation that has drawn outrage from importers.
Speaking exclusively to our correspondent in Abuja, Hon. Mohammed said the 400 percent PSS hike by the foreign shippers on goods headed to Nigeria was illegal and against the agreement earlier entered into with the Union of African Shippers Council.
“We are in the midst of COVID-19 which has impacted the economy of the whole world. Suddenly, the European Community Ship Owners Association just imposed a unilateral increase in surcharges which they called peak season surcharge.
“This surcharge is about 400 percent increment. This is aside from other charges that exist. This was done unilaterally, without consulting their host, the Nigerian Shippers Council and other authorities that have to do with that.”
He said the economy will be deeply affected due to loss of revenue and inflation from the high cost of the imported goods.
“So as a parliament, we feel the peak season surcharge is illegal. We have written to all the shipping companies operating in Nigeria. We are inviting them to come and explain the rationale for the unilateral increment.”