PROLONGED TRANSIT DELAY: NSC RESOLVES DISPUTE BETWEEN NIGERIEN CONSIGNEE AND FORWARDING AGENT
The Nigerian Shippers’ Council has resolved a major Transit Cargo Dispute involving two Nigerien owned 2X40FT Containers loaded with building materials and routed for Kano under the ECOWAS Transit Regime. The intervention followed a formal complaint submitted by the Conseil Nigérien des Utilisateurs des Transports Publics (C.N.U.T), Lagos Office, after the Containers remained on ground for more than 44 days despite full job capture on 14 November 2025.
Representing the Executive Secretary/CEO, Akutah Pius Ukeyima, Esq., MON, FCILT, Ph.D, the Head, Complaints Unit, Dr. Bashir Ambi Mohammed, welcomed participants to the mediation meeting held at Complaints Unit, Conference Room, 1st Floor, B Wing, Nigerian Shippers’ Council, Apapa, Lagos. He emphasised the Council’s commitment to protecting the rights of shippers and ensuring efficiency in Cargo clearance processes.
In accordance with the Council’s Succession Planning Excersice, Ms. Jessica Jonathan (OO1) was nominated to chaired the mediation, while the Case Handler, Mr. Mubarak (OOII), presented the complaint and outlined the circumstances surrounding the prolonged delay.
He informed the meeting that the Nigerian Shippers’ Council review of the case established that the delay resulted from multiple operational and regulatory setbacks, including:
- A major transit blockage along the Benin Republic Corridor.
- Inconsistent demurrage computations issued by the Shipping Line
- Regulatory holds and interventions by NPA, NCS, and FOU
- Misrouting of the Cargo to two different bonded terminals by the previous agent, resulting in documentation mismatches
- A two week suspension of processing due to the cancellation of the initial transit approval by Customs Headquarters
The Consignee informed the meeting that he paid over ₦17 million in demurrage to the Shipping Line, in addition to more than ₦13 million incurred in logistics and hotel accommodation while monitoring the clearance process in Lagos.
The newly engaged Clearing Agent, Onche Oil & Gas, informed the meeting that he initiated reconciliation of Demurrage Figures, Transit-Bond Processing, and Correction of Documentation Errors upon taking over the file. He noted that several delays, including the Mandatory Customs Approved Escort Certificate, contributed to the extended timeline.
After thorough evaluation, the meeting concluded that the prolonged detention of the Containers resulted from Overlapping Administrative Lapses, the Misrouting of Cargo by the initial Agent, Inconsistent Demurrage Assessments, and Regional Corridor Disruptions. These factors collectively caused significant financial hardship for the Nigerien Consignee.
To restore normalcy and ensure timely movement of the Transit Cargoes, the Council, as agreed by the meeting issued the following Resolutions:
- Confirmation of Transaction NSC validates the operational relationship between C.N.U.T and Onche Oil & Gas concerning the handling and movement of the two transit Containers to Agadez, Niger Republic.
- Mandatory Release Deadline Onche Oil & Gas must secure full gate-out release of the two Containers before the month end of November, 2025.
- Refund of Hotel Expenses The Clearing Agent is directed to refund hotel expenses incurred by the Consignee from 19 November 2025, to the date the complaint was officially received by the Council and evidence of reimbursement must be submitted to NSC.
- Escort Arrangement The Agent must ensures deployment of the Customs Approved Escort Team required for transit Cargo movement to Niger Republic.
- Refund of Outstanding Balance Onche Oil & Gas must pay the outstanding amount of ₦2,540,000 (Two Million, Five Hundred and Forty Thousand) to the Consignee.
- Submission of TDO NSC awaits the Terminal Delivery Order (TDO) for both Containers for proper documentation and closure of the case.
The Council enjoined both parties to sustain their existing business relationship.