Stakeholders Express Concerns Over  Proliferation Of Bonded Terminals In Lagos

Stakeholders in seaport operations have decried the proliferation of bonded terminals in Lagos metropolis, even as they called on the government to control the nuisance and noise pollution constituted by most of the  operators within residential areas.

 

The operators alleged that some of the off dock terminals are not duly licensed by the federal government of Nigeria thus creating problems for shippers , freight agents and occupants in residential areas .

 

They also queried the approval of some of the off dock terminal operators due to poor handling equipment at their possession.

 

 

 

Speaking with our correspondent recently, a chieftain of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Apapa Chapter, Mr. Frank Aliakor noted that the proliferation of bonded terminals have led to the worsen traffic situation in Lagos State.

 

Though , the customs broker declined to mention names of some of the erring operators, he alleged that with the movement of imports to such facilities , cargoes  are not properly examined due to lack of adequate manpower and relevant security personnel at the terminal to checkmate the activities of unscrupulous agents and shippers during physical examination.

 

Aliakor reiterated that activities at some of the off dock facilities are not properly monitor against the background of insecurity in the country noting that the mother port still have space for examination before the final evacuation of cargoes.

 

He also disclosed that the seaport terminals are empty as a fall out of the atrocities of some scrupulous importers,  pointing out that due to the thriving illegalities at the bonded terminals, most of the shippers take the advantage to move their consignments to such facilities.

 

 

 

Aliakor who is a critical stakeholder at the Apapa seaport lamented that activities of the freight stations also affected the heightened gridlock along major highways linking various communities in Lagos State thus constituting nuisance and pollution for residents.

 

 

” The issue of proliferation of bonded terminals is alarming because everybody wants to own a terminal outside the seaports and this calls for concerns.

 

“All these terminals are constituting nuisance within the community in Lagos and I will suggest for government to review the establishment of some of these terminals .”

 

 

Recall that dockworkers had expressed worries over the establishment of bonded terminals within the Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area of the state, saying members cannot participate in such operations whereby illegalities and noise  pollution thrive.

 

The union had called on the government at all level to beam its searchlights to evaluate some facilities to ascertain their authenticity of operation.

 

Similarly, the 100% Compliance Team, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) had frowned at the obsolete  equipment in  some of terminal operators.

 

Coordinator of the Compliance Team of NAGAFF, Alhaji  Ibrahim Tanko called on government to shutdown some the freight stations due to the inability to meet up with requirements of floating such facility.

 

By Roland Ekama