The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has expressed readiness to evacuate over 6,000 overtime cargoes from seaports across the country.
There are currently over 6,000 abandoned and overtime containers that are presently occupying ample spaces at the nation’s port terminals without having any impact on the nation’s economy.
Speaking with stakeholders, on Monday, the comptroller general of the service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, said it is expedient to evacuate overtime cargoes out of the port.
The Customs boss also disclosed plans to implement a 48-hour Customs clearance process, which he said will facilitate trade.
He highlighted that the Nigeria Customs Service Act, 2023, allowed the service to remove overtime cargoes from the ports.
The CGC emphasised the importance of partnership, support, understanding, collaboration, and participation from all stakeholders to successfully clear the containers from the Ports.
At the meeting, Adeniyi announced the formation of a committee, as specified by the Act, which will include government agencies, representatives from terminal operators and shipping lines.
“This committee will manage the process of removing containers from the port,” he stated.
The CGC further revealed that the NCS has implemented strategies to address issues related to Customs processes and procedures. These strategies include the plan to launch the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) program, a robust risk management system, and a time-release study scheduled for the first quarter of 2024.
“The objective is to enhance Customs procedures, ultimately reducing both time and the cost of conducting business.”
Responding, the representative of ICP Bonded Terminal, Gerald Mbamalu, called for government intervention to improve road infrastructure, ensuring the smooth movement of trucks in and out of the ports.
Also speaking, a terminal operator, Tunde Keshinro, emphasised the challenges associated with overtime cargoes.
Keshinro stated that overtime cargoes revolved around processes, including issues related to their location and the associated costs and charges.
He suggested that it would be more efficient to dispose of the cargo at their current location, streamlining the process and expediting the necessary steps.
Speaking on the 48-hour clearance process, the vice president of the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Princess Chi Eze, urged the CGC to maximise the use of scanners at Apapa Port.
In response, the Zonal Coordinator, Zone A, ACG Bello Jibo, stated that NCS is committed to monitoring the effective utilisation of scanners by regularly visiting the Ports and Terminals.
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