The GRTU, Chamber of Small and Medium Enterprises, yesterday accused freeport terminal managers of causing huge delays at the Freeport which were costing stevedores and traders unnecessary expenses.

No one, the GRTU charged, seemed able to overcome the perennial shortage of the equipment needed to properly operate the system of container movements.

It said that years ago it had concluded an agreement with the Freeport about this but whenever it suited it, the management ignored the agreement, resulting in huge delays in container movements. The result was that stevedores ended wasting hours of their time, costing them money. Traders suffered the consequences as well.

The GRTU said that until recently, the Freeport complained it did not have money to invest in new equipment. But the problem should now have been solved because the government was allowing the Freeport an extra income of over Lm1 million a year, levied on traders. This was money which used to be earned by the Cargo Handling Co. Ltd and which, instead of helping to lessen the Freeport charges, was being pocketed by the Freeport.

No one, it seemed, could do anything about the Freeport, the GRTU said. Everyone in authority ignored the whole issue; no one wanted to shoulder their responsibilities. It said those in authority should either do something decisive or move off.