The Management of the Nigeria Customs Service has concluded plans to deploy over 400 scanners to Ports across the country, as part of efforts to tackle congestion.
The service has completed plans to deploy three scanners to the Lagos ports under its Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) scheme, which would see over 400 scanners deployed to various terminals across the nation’s ports.
The Customs service is also set to deploy some of the newly recruited 3,000 junior officers to various customs units and formations in filling the existing shortage of personnel.
The Service Zonal Coordinator of Zone A Headquarters, Assistant Comptroller General, Modupe Aremu stated that management would soon switch over to a new electronic scheme that would further aid customs operations.
Mrs Aremu made the announcements over the weekend when a group of customs licensed agents paid a working visit to her office in Lagos, South-west Nigeria, with complaints of multiple alerts, lack of scanning equipment and shortage of personnel on cargoes escort.
The Assistant Comptroller General called on agents and their principals to always ensure genuine declarations on their documents to help the service achieve its set objectives.
According to her, “three scanners are already about to be installed across the ports in Lagos. With E-Customs, there will be about 400 scanners for use across the ports in the country.”
She maintained that compliance on the part of the shippers and freight agents was pertinent, in line with cargo clearance processes and procedures.
“Compliance is the key, if there is honest declaration, nobody can stop your cargoes along the roads.
“We cannot do it alone, we need you to cooperate with us. importers and freight agents should ensure genuine cargo declaration to avoid any form of alert “ she added.
Earlier, President, Advocacy for Maritime Development Association (AMDA) Segun Alabi expressed worries over lack of scanners in port operations.
He said;, “We want to let you know that lack of scanning machines is another challenge we are facing in the ports in Lagos.”,
“Especially at APM Terminals Apapa, we need scanners to facilitate trade. There is a lot of congestion in that terminal due to lack of scanners.
“We are appealing to management of the service to deploy scanners to these terminals for faster clearance of cargoes.
Hauwa Abu
