Official morass, dishonesty, lack of box pick ups plagues Nigeria

NIGERIA's outdated legislation, equipment shortages, epileptic power supply, unreliable IT infrastructure, failure to streamline security agencies and dishonesty are reasons why the 48-hour cargo clearance target remain unachieved at the nation's seaports, reports The Punch, of Lagos.

APM Terminals Apapa Ports managing director Michael Hansen was cited as saying government agencies operating in the ports hindered the 48-hour container dwell time goal. We still have 15 agencies present in the port, which may take an interest in the release of containers and therefore make 48 hours clearance impossible, he said.

Mr Hansen also noted that the implementation of electronic release of containers by Nigeria Customs Services was a good development, but too few were online to facilitate quick clearance.

His terminal handles 47,000 TEU per month if there is no congestion, but capacity falls to 20,000 TEU when importers fail to pick up boxes. "If we can reduce the dwell time from today's 28 days to 14 days, then we will double yard capacity. This will enable us to handle many more containers and it will reduce the need for taking containers to ICDs [inland container depots], he said.

Nigeria Customs Service spokesman for Lagos Dera Nnadi said negative attitudes and a refusal by importers to declare actual contents of consignments was the big cause of the slowdown.

Delays occur mostly after physical examination - maybe you are found to have under declared what you brought in - then definitely delays will occur, because you will not be allowed to go. You will be made to pay for the extra duty, he was cited as saying.

Mr Nnadi said customs tried fast-tracking procedures, including giving shippers the opportunity of taking the deliveries in their premises, but most left cargo at the port un-cleared.

Lucky Amiwero, president of National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents and Institute of Transport Administration of Nigeria, blamed the congestion at the ports especially Lagos on old laws that operate in a new system.

This invariably put freight forwarders in contravention of the import guidelines and resulted in frequent seizures and disputes with the authorities, he said.

For example, Mr Amiwero said the import guidelines that the country was implementing under the destination inspection, allows for discrepancy and penalty where necessary, while the law of customs and excise allows for seizures of goods of defaulters.

Mr Amiwero said government agents at the ports now seized and auctioned containers belonging to alleged defaulters as stipulated by the old law instead of penalising them by asking them to pay for the excess imported items where necessary under the new law.

 

Source: Schednet