Dr. Joseph Obeng
THE GHANA Union of Traders’ Association (GUTA) is appealing to government to give its members a three-week grace period to mobilize funds to clear their goods from the country’s ports.
Their concerns come barely a week after the Ghana Shippers’ Authority officially informed the Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) and other players in the shipping industry to waive charges on “demurrage/detention and storage rent charges” on all cargo which had remained uncleared at the ports from March 30, 2020 to April 19, 2020 following a directive from government.
However, the traders’ unions argue that some concerns from Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana has brought about some challenges.
President of GUTA, Dr. Joseph Obeng, in a statement issued on Sunday, April 26, 2020, said “as a matter of expediency, we would appeal to government through the Minister of Transport and also our sector minister, Minister of Trade and Industry, to give all those who have been affected in this matter a grace period of three weeks to mobilize funds and clear their goods at the ports.”
“We have received a copy of a letter on the same subject matter from the Ship Owners and Agents Association of Ghana to the Ghana shippers’ Authority expressing some reservations regarding some aspects of the contents of the directive. Thus, this will go a long way to avert any agitation that may arise out of the frustrations that our members encounter at the moment,” they added.
They are also seeking for clarification on whether charges on cargo which “arrived prior to the lockdown but was not cleared as at the date of lifting the lockdown” should be waived.
Among other demands, they also want clarity on whether cargo arriving between the lockdown up to the date of lifting on April 19, 2020 should be charged; and what should be expected in the case of another partial lockdown.
They further asked for explanation on the issue of how cargo arriving within this period should be treated as the lockdown has been lifted.
While acknowledging that the concerns raised by the Ship Owners and Agents Association are legitimate, they want the issues addressed urgently in order not to cause further delay in carrying out the directive of the Transport Ministry to worsen the situation of already frustrated members.
Earlier this month, GUTA petitioned government to compel GPHA and the shipping lines to defer rentals and waive “demurrage and rent charges” on cargo at the country’s ports during the period of the partial lockdown amidst the Covid-19 pandemic.
This was eventually granted by the Ministry of Transport.
–Citibusiness