AEO: Lagos Ports To Get 3 Scanning Machines From Customs  – ACG Aremu

The Zonal Coordinator, Zone A headquarters, Nigeria Customs Service, Assistant Comptroller General (ACG) Modupe Aremu has disclosed that management of the service has concluded plans to deploy three scanners to the Lagos ports as part of efforts to tackle the congestions .

Aremu stated that management would soon switch over to a new electronic scheme that would further aid customs operations, saying the Authorised Economic Operators (AEO) will see over 400 scanners deployed to various terminals across the nation’s ports .

She disclosed this over the weekend when a group of customs licensed agents paid a working visited to her office in Lagos with complaints of multiple alerts, lack of scanning equipment and shortage of personnel on cargoes escort.

 

The ACG called on agents and their principals to always ensure genuine declarations on their documents to help the service achieve its set objectives.

 

She said :”Three scanners are already about to be installed across the ports in Lagos.

 

“With E-Customs, there will be about 400 scanners for use across the ports in the country.

 

She  reiterated that compliance on the part of the shippers and freight agents was key in the line of cargo clearance processes and procedures.

 

“Compliance is the key, if there is honest declaration, nobody can stop your cargoes along the roads.

 

“We cannot do it alone, we need you to cooperate with us”, she stated.

 

According to her   importers and freight agents should ensure genuine cargo declaration to avoid any form of alert .

ACG Aremu also disclosed that the service is set to deploy some of the newly recruited 3,000 junior officers to various customs units and  formations in filling the existing shortage of personnel.

Earlier, President Advocacy for Maritime Development Association (AMDA) Segun Alabi expressed worries over lack of scanners in port operations.

He said ” We also want to let you know that lack of scanning  machines is another challenge we are facing in the ports in Lagos.”

Speaking further , Alabi said “Especially at APM. Terminals Apapa, we need scanners to facilitate trade. There is a lot of congestion in that terminal due to lack of scanners.

“We are appealing for management of the service to deploy scanners to these terminals for faster clearance of cargoes.

 

 

 

By Roland Ekama