SIFAX introduces ‘Whistle Blower’ policy to curb extortion
THECONSCIENCE reports that the SIFAX Group has announced a whistle blower policy aimed at checkmating the operational activities of its staff.
This is in connection with the issue of extortion and corruption which has become a culture in the maritime industry.
Sifax’s Head of Corporate Communications, SIFAX Group, Mr. Muyiwa Akande disclosed that its management had recently constituted “a kind of whistle blower policy” that has resulted in the dismissal of some staff, affirming that the organisation is a customer oriented conglomerate.
Akande while reacting on the protest embarked on by members of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (AREEFN) , Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) Chapter, over alleged delays on the clearance of consignments from Ports and Cargo Handling Services, Tin Can Island Port to the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) facility, noted that the policy began in December 2020.
He revealed that some staff have been asked to leave the employment of the company owing to what he called “sharp practices” at the terminal through the whistle blowing mechanism.”
Assuring that the complaints of freight forwarders which has led to protest at the Port and Cargo Terminal, would have been completely addressed, Akande reiterated that his firm would always give a listening ear to its stakeholders and partners which he noted the freight agents constitute a major part of.
The image maker disclosed that the company’s management has had a fruitful deliberation with the protesters and has also constituted a four man committee to resolve the issues and grievances raised by the protesters.
Akande assured freight agents that all their containers will be transferred out of the port to the off dock terminal.
Commenting on the issue of delay, the image maker clarified that demurrage payment is legitimate, but added that “if there are cases of force majeure, as in cases of road construction which cause delay in movement, the customer is considered and not made to pay demurrage over the period of the delay.”
The aggrieved members of the Association of Registered Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (AREFFN) KLT Chapter , had earlier protested what they term the undue delays in cargo clearance, illegal transfers of cargoes from one terminal to the other .
They alleged that the unlawful imposition of fees by the management of the Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited a subsidiary of The SIFAX Group had led to hardship for shippers and freight forwarders.
The protest took place in front of the SIFAX Group’s Corporate Head Office.
The Secretary of AREFFN KLT Branch , Stephen Chukwuka, accused management of the Ports and Cargo Handling Services Limited of internationally electing not to do their duty of effectively facilitating the speedy transfer of Containers from their terminal because of selfish reasons.
He said that management of the terminal deliberately delay cargo clearance in other for cargoes to incur demurrage, which cost about N12, 500 per container daily.
Chukwuka also accused the management of moving their containers from one terminal to the other and making them to pay the costs. Amongst his other allegations were that the management extorts from them N40, 000 for every container that leaves the P&CHSL terminal.
