Terminal operators express the desire to work with the ANLCA Apapa chapter executive to make their operations much easier
By Uzor Odigbo
The Managing Director of Kachicares Bonded Terminal, Prince Lawrence Eboji, has urged the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to harmonize its activities in the ports, rather than its operatives acting discordantly by arresting duly released consignments within the vicinity of the port.
Kachicares Terminal is located along the Oshodi Apapa expressway in Lagos state.
Prince Eboji made the appeal during a courtesy visit by the Apapa Chapter of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) led by its elected Chairman, Dr Sylvester Budu.
The ANLCA Apapa Chapter Executives has since last week embarked on familiarity visits to Terminals under its Chapter for a cordial working relationship.
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Eboji said it is a very disturbing trend for about five Units of the Customs namely FOU, CG Strike Force, Customs Police, CG squad among others to be stopping trucks less than 500metres from the ports, instead of the approved 40Km from the ports.
“And the funniest thing is that all of them are asking the same questions and demanding the same thing. I have been looking forward to whom I will report to, but now with your visit, we will work together to address these issues,” he assured.
He further stressed that some of the difficulties Nigerian Importers and their agents go through have made most of them relocate to neighbouring ports and Nigeria bound Importers have reduced drastically, yet the Customs is still posting threats to trade facilitation.
In his remarks, Dr Sylvester Budu said that their main objective of visiting the terminal was to acquaint themselves with the terminal management, rub minds together and sensitise them about the activities of their association as regards making jobs easier and tackling issues as they emerge.
Budu noted that ANLCA also has a Compliance team that is meant to educate and checkmate both its members and other stakeholders on the proper things to do and how to channel their problems during their clearing process.
He noted that the chapter intends to have some of the members of their compliance team on the ground at the terminal.
Prince Eboji however commended the entourage and said that the stated objectives of the association are noble as he also complains about the difficult terrains that they operate in.
He further enumerated some of the challenges as multiple Units of the Customs on the roads, the terrible nature of some of the access roads, the slow pace of the process of goods clearing and the persistent human errors that are negatively impacting on business.
The MD also decried the proximity of these Customs checkpoints to the ports hoping that things will be done in the proper way as in other climes.
He expressed the desire to work with the chapter executive to make their operations much easier