SIFAX Group, a multinational corporation with diverse interests in maritime, aviation, haulage & logistics, oil & gas and hospitality, has urged the Federal Government to concession the scanning service at nation’s seaports.
The Executive Director, SIFAX Haulage & Logistics Limited, Major Henry Ajetunmobi (Rtd), stressed that the service currently being handled by the Nigerian Customs Service should be outsourced to private sector in order to enhance the level of efficiency in the port sector.
The SIFAX Boss made this call while speaking at the Nigerian-British Chamber of Commerce’s Advocacy Roundtable with the theme, “The Role of Concessions in Fixing the Transportation Sector”.
Using the case study of the port concession, which has been adjudged as a huge success, as a strong argument point, Ajetunmobi said concessioning remains the most pragmatic option available to the Federal Government in its bid to address the debilitating infrastructural challenge in the industry.
According to him, “The current economic reality makes it clear to all that the Federal Government cannot solely address the infrastructural deficit in the country’s transportation sector. This deficit has negatively affected service delivery and ultimately, its contribution to the economy. This is the right time for the government to concession critical infrastructure in the sector, especially at the seaports.
“Of utmost importance is the scanning service. Most scanners at the ports are either completely broken down or functioning below the installed capacity. This situation has subjected the Customs and other agencies to 100% examination of cargoes, which does only wastes time but also more favourable to the smugglers, too. We have waited anxiously for the scanners and it is not forthcoming. I want the government to consider concessioning the scanning service to investors as this will really make the port reform system more efficient”, he said.
