By Okey Mark
To reduce the operational challenges at the ports, Nigeria Customs Service(NCS) has assured ports users that Cargo scanners will be installed and made operational in three months time, precisely in June, this year.
According to the Service, efforts are being made in that direction as preliminary works have been done to ensure a seamless take off.
The Customs Area Controller(CAC), Apapa Customs Command, Compt. Malanta Yusuf disclosed this, last week, while speaking with the officials of the League of Maritime Editors and Publishers(LOMEP) in his office.
Recall that the Federal Executive Council(FEC) had last year July, approved the purchase of three cargo scanners worth $18.12 million of foreign component, with a local component of N3.255billion. The contract was awarded to Messrs Airwave Limited.
The scanners will be installed in Onne port, Port Harcourt Port and Tin can Island Port to fasten inspection and assist Customs to facilitate clearance and delivery of cargo mechanically instead of the prevailing manual physical examination which has aided the chaotic situation at the Lagos ports.
The Lagos Port Complex(LPC), Apapa, Lagos is not however one of the chosen ports for the new cargo scanners, so how the presence of scanners in other ports will rob off on Apapa where Malanta manages was not stated in his narrative.
The CAC further disclosed that while Apapa Customs command does not have complaints of multiple alerts from shippers, he stated that the Command has a One-stop- shop clearing system with an in-built Conflict Resolution Desk where complaints of all sorts are resolved amicably without compromising trade facilitation and revenue integrity.
He said he is optimistic of collecting higher revenue on import duties this year and subsequently more than had been achieved in the past, adding that he intends to achieve this without over-taxing or over-charging importers, explaining that all he wants was a clean and honest declaration from importers and their customs agents.
Malanta who was posted to the Command recently advised importers who have been used to fraudulent practices to be ready for change, warning that it would not be business as usual.
“I want to ensure that revenue here will be more than what has been achieved before. But I will not collect more than what it should be. All I ask is true declaration of what is in the container”, he said.
He said that he had called stakeholders’ meeting involving importers, shipping companies and customs agents during which he made it very clear on the need for cargo owners and their agents to be honest in their declarations.
Responding to the question of multiple alerts being complained about by importers and their agents, Malanta said honest importers who have obeyed trade regulations and made correct declarations have nothing to fear as far as alerts were concerned.
“If you are clean, you don’t fear alerts, but if you fear alerts, it means you have something you have done wrong”, he said.
He explained further that the conflict resolution Seat has Heads of other Units in the system to make it easier to resolve all issues in good time.
He also added that the Unit handles issues virtually to avoid problems associated with physical contact.
He advised importers who have any issue that has to do with their goods in the ports or those not satisfied with the DN given to them to approach the Seat for resolution.
Malanta took over from the former CAC, Mohammed Abba Kura, who was recently appointed Assistant Comptroller General and redeployed to Abuja in first week of February.
