TRADE FACILITATION: NAGAFF Cautions Customs Over Port Delays, Demands Smoother Cargo Clearance
By Roland Ekama
The National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) has expressed dissatisfaction with trade facilitation at the nation’s seaports.
The group called on the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) management to ensure seamless cargo clearance without hindrances.
Dr. Fred Ajuzie, Chairman of NAGAFF’s Trade Facilitation Committee and former Chairman of the Apapa Chapter, who disclosed this on Tuesday during a chat with newsmen in Lagos, pointed out that plans are underway to engage NCS management on the best ways to improve trade facilitation
Ajuzie lamented that delays allegedly caused by customs officials during consignment examinations at the ports undermine trade facilitation.
The NAGAFF leader stated bonded terminals have not helped in anyway toward promoting seamless cargo clearance but assured stakeholders that the suitable would soon be under control.
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He urged NCS management to examine internal practices and address these anomalies, explaining that after containers are scanned at the ports, some customs officials allegedly insist on 100% physical examinations, which frustrate the seamless movement of consignments.
Ajuzie alleged that re-examining consignments after scanning is a common practice at Apapa Port.
According to him, : “Customs talks about trade facilitation, and everybody is talking about it, to promote seamless port operations but we will visit them and inform them about how things are done at the moment. Because a delay in cargo is a delay in business,” he said.”
“What I intend to do with my team is to prove that customs is not facilitating trade. If a consignment has any discrepancy, I don’t think it should be delayed at the port, as long as it is not contraband.
“The consignment can be released, and the case referred to Post Clearance Audit (PCA) to do their job.”Ajuzie added that containers are often subjected to 100% physical examinations after scanning, which hampers trade facilitation.
He also noted that reducing human contact in cargo clearance would promote trade facilitation and faster clearance of goods would enhance trade and international business.