NPA Boss Condemns Customs for Physical Examination of Goods at Ports
*You can imagine how difficult it is for cargoes coming in to be examined physically
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has come under attack by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for still adopting manual cargo inspection at the ports at such modern time.
Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman said in a television interview monitored by our Correspondent that manual inspection of goods by the Customs has negative effect on promoting efficiency in trade facilitation.
Usman advised Customs to deploy scanners and automation in cargo clearing process to fasten cargo clearance at the ports.
She said, “We are working assiduously with the terminal operators and the Nigeria Customs Service to fast track the process of evacuating cargo from the vessel and importantly the inspection of cargo. This is something that is of great priority to the ports authority, government and more so for Customs.
“We need to deploy scanners at our ports so that our cargoes can be inspected using scanners. Right now, as a lot of consignees are aware, our cargoes are inspected physically. You can imagine how difficult and challenging that would be having cargoes that come into the country examined physically. We need to make sure that we put in place automation mechanism to improve port efficiency”.
She was full of praises for the APMT Terminals which recently acquired modern cargo equipment for operations.
“With the deployment of the cranes by APM Terminals, they are now working assiduously with NPA in improving on the operational efficiency which will translate to an improved cargo evacuation for consignees outside of the port location.”, she said.
Usman stressed the need for intermodal transportation system, adding that the ports can hardly function so well without it.
According to her, this was the reason why the Transport Minister, Hon Rotimi Amaechi has been pursuing for rail project.
“Right now, the contractors are working in linking the Tin Can Island and Apapa ports with rail connection and that should be completed before the end of the year so we can have seamless cargo evacuation using rail. Intermodal transportation is what will enable us address the congestion within the entrance of the Tin Can Island and Apapa ports”, she said.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has come under attack by the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for still adopting manual cargo inspection at the ports at such modern time.
Managing Director of the NPA, Hadiza Bala Usman said in a television interview monitored by our Correspondent that manual inspection of goods by the Customs has negative effect on promoting efficiency in trade facilitation.
Usman advised Customs to deploy scanners and automation in cargo clearing process to fasten cargo clearance at the ports.
She said, “We are working assiduously with the terminal operators and the Nigeria Customs Service to fast track the process of evacuating cargo from the vessel and importantly the inspection of cargo. This is something that is of great priority to the ports authority, government and more so for Customs.
“We need to deploy scanners at our ports so that our cargoes can be inspected using scanners. Right now, as a lot of consignees are aware, our cargoes are inspected physically. You can imagine how difficult and challenging that would be having cargoes that come into the country examined physically. We need to make sure that we put in place automation mechanism to improve port efficiency”.
She was full of praises for the APMT Terminals which recently acquired modern cargo equipment for operations.
“With the deployment of the cranes by APM Terminals, they are now working assiduously with NPA in improving on the operational efficiency which will translate to an improved cargo evacuation for consignees outside of the port location.”, she said.
Usman stressed the need for intermodal transportation system, adding that the ports can hardly function so well without it.
According to her, this was the reason why the Transport Minister, Hon Rotimi Amaechi has been pursuing for rail project.
“Right now, the contractors are working in linking the Tin Can Island and Apapa ports with rail connection and that should be completed before the end of the year so we can have seamless cargo evacuation using rail. Intermodal transportation is what will enable us address the congestion within the entrance of the Tin Can Island and Apapa ports”, she said.
FOLLOW US
About Post Author
