Coronavirus: GUTA wants GPHA to halt rent charges at the ports

The Ghana Union of Traders’ Associations (GUTA), says it wants government to halt demanding ‘demurrage and rent charges’ at the country’s ports amid the Coronavirus pandemic.

According to the union, earlier calls by the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ghana Shippers Authority, to the shipping lines owners to waive the demurrage and rent charges, has proven futile.

In a statement issued and signed by the President of GUTA, Joseph Obeng noted; “It is quite unfortunate that persistent calls through the Ministry of Trade and Industry and the Ghana Shippers Authority to the shipping lines and Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) to waive the demurrage and rent charges at this very crucial time in the life of this country is proving futile.”

“It is very sad that while most of our members cannot move out freely because they are all adhering to the restrictions announced by government, the shipping lines are asking that since they are still working, our members whose goods have arrived at the ports should clear them or pay demurrage if the containers continue to remain at the ports during this lockdown period.”

“The Ghana Ports and Harbours Authority (GPHA) are also asking importers to clear their goods from their warehouses or pay further rent charges,” the statement added.

Meanwhile, the GPHA last week announced that the clearance of all types of goods at the country’s seaports is on-going despite the restrictions of movement of persons imposed by the state.

But GUTA is warning that the lives of its members cannot be put in danger and wants government orders that involve consignments form part of essential goods only to be cleared.

Adding, all other orders must be held on till the end of the lockdown unless it falls under a special dispensation.

“We are therefore calling on government to strongly appeal to the shipping lines and Ghana Ports and Harbors Authority (GPHA) to give unconditional waivers to demurrage and rent charges during this period of the lockdown so that together we all achieve the aim of fighting this pandemic to success,” President of GUTA, Dr Obeng noted.

GUTA says it hopes that government quickly heeds to its call and protects the lives and businesses of its members at the ports.