RIYADH: A group of traders and customs clearance offices have threatened legal action against Saudi Railways Organization (SRO) for delayed container shipments from Dammam to Riyadh.
They unveiled plans to file a complaint with the Court of Grievances seeking compensation from SRO for losses they say they incurred from the delays.
Musaed bin Hamad Al-Sayyari, chairman of the National Committee for Customs Clearance at the Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Industry, claimed SRO’s failure in the prompt shipment of containers was the major reason for the current food shortages and price rises in the capital, Al-Riyadh Arabic daily reported on Wednesday.
Al-Sayyari also said that the railway’s perceived incompetence had created chaotic situations, forcing businessmen to pay more than they should through no fault of their own.
“Traders and owners of goods were forced to pay a huge amount of money in fines caused by the delay in clearing goods from the warehouse facilities at King Abdul Aziz Port in Dammam and the Dry Port in Riyadh,” he said.
“We held several rounds of talks with SRO officials in our bid to remove hurdles and facilitate smooth transportation of goods from Dammam to Riyadh. All these meetings have produced no concrete results. Hence, we have decided to approach the Court of Grievances”.
Al-Sayyari announced plans to seek compensation from SRO for all the fines that those affected have had to pay, in addition to the additional charges imposed on them by SRO and international cargo companies.
“We had to pay all these extra expenses only because of the delay on SRO’s part in the delivery of our goods,” he added. “The current shortage of food and subsequent increase in their prices, especially when the fasting month of Ramadan is only three weeks away, is their fault”.
Arab News
