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Shippers Council Boss Cautions Industries on Container Deposits Refunds.
The South-South Zonal Director of the Nigerian Shippers Council (NSC), Mrs. Ify Okolue, has called on shipping companies operating within the Eastern ports to ensure enhanced service delivery through timeous refund of Container Deposits to shippers to guarantee a peaceful working relationship.
Okolue, who said this at her maiden visit to some shipping companies operating in Onne Port, Rivers State, insisted that shipping companies must expedite action to address incidences of delays in container deposit refunds.
She informed that report has it that some shipping companies are defaulting with the NSC Standard Operating Procedures guidelines to shipping companies to ensure that refunds are made within 5 working days of application to Shippers.
According to her, an efficient service delivery will guarantee a conducive environment for their operations.
Okolue also tasked the shipping companies to maintain a cordial working relationship with their host communities in order to sustain a peaceful working environment.
She stated this shortly after a meeting with managements of CMA CGM, and Maersk at the Onne Port Complex.
On Container Deposits Refund, she said her office has been inundated with reports of delays in container refunds by shipping companies, stressing that something has to be done to address the problem.
The Zonal Director also commended the management of CMA CGM for outrightly abolishing payment of container deposit by Shippers and urged its Maersk counterpart to follow suit.
Okolue also commended the companies for their level of corporate social responsibilities and urged other companies operating in the zone to emulate it.
She also stressed the need for regular engagement by the shipping companies with their clients through seminar or webinar, saying this will help their clients to be abreast with new developments as far as their operations was concerned.
Speaking in an interview with newsmen, Okolue said the meeting was in line with NSC’s mandate to often engage with stakeholders in the shipping industry to ensure efficient service delivery and also receive feedback from them.
She said it was the tradition of any newly posted Zonal Director to visit and interact with them to seek areas of collaboration, “to let them know that government is a continuum.”
Earlier, both the branch managers of CMA CGM and Maersk, Yvonne Odiete and Chibuzor Ejiofor, respectively, thanked the Zonal Director and her team for the visit.
By: John Bibor