NSC Saves Consignee Over N56M on Seven Containers of Power Equipment
Cautions Consignees to Obtain Proper Documentation before Importation
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has saved Valenz Holdings Limited the sum N56,000,000.00 (Fifty-Six Million Naira) being part of the amount of N96,000,000.00 (Ninety-Six Million Naira) accrued as demurrage and Storage to Grilmadi Agency Nigeria Limited and APMT, on 4X40FT and 3X20FT containers of power equipment recently in Lagos.
In a letter sent to the Council by Management of Valenz Holdings Limited requesting the prompt intervention of the Council for ‘compassionate waiver on Bill Lading No: S3144791006 STC Power Materials to enable them take delivery of their cargo’.
The Managing Director of the Company, Mr. V.E. Agusiobo stated that the inability of their company to take delivery when the cargo arrived the Country on board Grimaldi Deep Sea S.p.A. from Port of Antwerp was as a result ‘lack of finance, problem of amendment on PAAR and delay in getting Exemption Certificate obtained (sic) from Federal Ministry of Finance’, which are vital documents in facilitating the clearance of such type of cargo, he said.
Mr. Agusiobo further stated that their application for Import Duty Exemption Certificate from the Federal Ministry of Finance and the Nigeria Customs Service was granted lately, however he requested for 70% commercial waiver to enable their Company pay 30% charges on Demurrage/ Storage and take delivery.
After careful analysis of the complaint by the Council, the Head of Complaints Mr. Moses Fadipe, in conjunction with the complaint handler Mr. Hassan Aminu contacted Grimaldi Agency Nigeria Ltd formally, held extensive deliberations and for the sake of trade facilitation and ease of doing business in the country. The agency agreed to 50% commercial waiver out of N96,000,000.00, based on the importance of the cargo to the economy. The consignee paid the sum of N40,000,000.00 and took delivery of their cargo. The Council warned Valenz against subsequent request for waiver as Council will not entertain such request.
Valenz Holdings Limited was grateful to the Council and Grimaldi Agency for coming to their aid, and assured the Council that henceforth, their Company will ensure that all necessary documents of clearance of cargo would be processed before they embark on future importation.
