The Federal government has been called upon to consider re-introducing the pre- shipment inspection of cargoes destined for Nigeria in order to curb delays being witnessed at the various ports in the country.
This was the views of the stakeholders at a one day National Dialogue on “Unlocking Shipping Gridlock at the Ports: Stakeholders Initiative”, organized by the Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) in Lagos Tuesday.
Speaking at the event, a Cargo Surveyor and Chief Executive Officer, Intrass Nigeria Limited, Mr. Femi Awogbade suggested that cargoes be inspected from their countries of origin before they are shipped into the country.
Awogbade opined that this would have eliminated the delays at the ports because cargoes would have been inspected and sealed by the approved inspectors.
He also contended that the Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) by its name is currently not serving its purpose because documentation of cargoes should have been concluded before the arrival of the vessel bearing the cargoes to Nigeria.
According to him, “we should go back to having our cargoes pre-inspected. What we need to do differently is to get the inspectors liable and responsible for the content of the container they have inspected”.
“You must have them seal the container with their own seal; by this it means they are aware of the entire content of the content. If it gets somewhere and something different is found, there are international laws that hold you liable”.
On his part, the Chief Executive Officer of Eyis Resources Limited, Mr. Lucky Amiwero noted that there was gridlock at the ports because Nigeria has failed to comply with the international conventions.
Amiwero advocated for Non-Intrusive Inspection (NII) of cargoes adding that it would eliminate importation of arms and ammunitions, which are entering into the country unknown to the authorities.
He called for the establishment of an independent body to monitor the customs and to ensure that it is fulfilling its mandate religiously.
In his words,” Nigerian system is not in line with global practice. All our imports are supposed to have been pre-inspected before they arrive the country. When you look at the level of ammunitions in this country, you will know that we contravene international conventions”.
“Every country is supposed to know what is coming into their country and this is what is called Pre-Arrival Assessment Report”.
Also speaking, Mr. Oluyenuwo Olabisi of the Export Department of NACCIMA faulted the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) for failing to put its share of the seven percent port development levy to judicious use.
Olabisi decried the situation where issues were brought to NPA, it appeared helpless because it lacked the control over the ports since they have been concessioned out to the private operators.
He called for the creation of more ports in the Western zone to ease off the pressure on both the Tincan Island Port and the Apapa port calling for the ports to be linked to the rail system as a permanent solution to confusion in the port industry.
Moreso, the National Coordinator, save Nigeria Freight Forwarders, Importers and Exporters Coalition (SNIFFIEC), Dr. Osita Patrick Chukwu wanted the government to revoke the power of customs to issue license to freight forwarders and hand it over to the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria (CRFFN).
Chukwu further called for the abolition of the continuous collection of the container deposits by the shipping companies.
Earlier in his opening speech, the National President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Mohammed Badaru Abubakar regretted that notwithstanding the efforts of the government in removing impediments at the ports, challenges of huge demurrage to shipping companies and persistent traffic gridlock were still visible.
Represented by the Vice President of the Association, Ahmad Rabiu, Abubakar stated that unnecessary delays were still witnessed in the Pre- Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) as well as its wrong computation.
Also in a remark, the Director General NACCIMA, Mr. John Isemede assured that the recommendations arrived at during the event would be forwarded to the ongoing National Confab.
