…Says Comptroller Jaiyeoba and his team have enhanced Ease of Doing Business
Following a recent online report on some allegations of sharp practices by the releasing department of the Apapa Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, a governing Board member of the Council for the Regulation of Freight Forwarding in Nigeria, CRFFN, Princess Chi Ezeh has commended the Cargo Releasing team at the command for prioritizing due process.
Princess Eze who was speaking during a chat with newsmen on Thursday, stressed that the calls for re-examination of cargoes is simply because the bulk of cargoes at the Apapa port are heterogeneous goods and scanners are programmed to check for single items.
“Having seen the complaints by some freight agents, I am concerned because it is a misconception to allege that the scanner has identified the given items but Customs insist on physical examination. The scanners are programmed to check for a single item and where a container has multiple items, it means the scanning result will show multiple images but it cannot classify the items.
“Scanners can’t interpret HS Code. So, there will be a need for physical examination whenever the scanners show multiple images which means different items. This also helps for proper classification to prevent revenue loss.
“Apapa port has begun the implementation of Time Release Study, TRS in a bid to speed up cargo clearance at the port and the Area Controller, Comptroller Babajide Jaiyeoba has led his officers admirably in this TRS to attain faster cargo clearance. However, freight agents must be honest with their declaration to make the process seamless. A situation where they carry out fake declaration or conceal items will lead to physical examination and delays”, She said.
According to the freight forwarder, who is also the Managing Director of Muna Sylver Nigeria Limited, the aggrieved freight agents are blaming the Apapa Customs Scanner Manager, DC Atuluku Salamatu, for no legitimate reason because she is simply carrying out due process.
Princess Chi commended the Scanner Manager, DC Atuluku, even as she encouraged her not to be discouraged by the recent backlash and criticisms from freight agents, which are unfair and misleading.
Meanwhile, Princess Chi advised the Apapa Area Controller to continue to prioritize TRS and other innovative approaches that have redefined the operations of Customs at the Command and enhanced the Ease of Doing Business, EoDB at the nation’s premier port.
Speaking further, She noted that the Customs unit in recent times carried out an investigation to fully unravel the cause of delay in clearing process and discovered that the delay is mainly on the part of terminal operators in positioning containers for scanning operations.
“Dishonesty on the part of clearing agents in having an honest declaration and laxity on the part of some officers also pose challenges. However, it should be noted that some commodities based on their nature are bound to be positioned for physical verification”, she stressed.
Photo: Princess Chi Eze, Managing Director, Muna Sylver Nigeria Limited.
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