Despite the federal government’s multi-billion naira investment in scanners at the nation’s seaports, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), operating at the seaports abandoned the equipment for 100 per cent physical examination of cargoes.
The 100 percent physical examination has led to huge storage and demmurage charges accruing for importers who had thought the introduction of scanners will reduce cost of clearing cargoes out of the nation’s seaports.
Recall that the minister of Finance, Hajia Zainab Ahmed, recently commissioned the N8billion scanners, noting that the project would no doubt aid the NCS in the delivery of its mandates, in line with the key priorities of, President Muhammadu Buhari-led Administration targeted at reducing poverty and stimulating favourable macroeconomic conditions for sustained growth and development.
According to her, the scanner has the capacity to detect prohibited import concealed in cargoes, adding that it enables more cargoes to be scanned and bring about the desired efficiency and effectiveness in cargo examination processes.
“The commissioning of these three non-intrusive scanners is in line with efforts to expedite Customs operations and achieve its mandate of ease of doing business, trade facilitation and preventing port congestion.
“These three scanners will help increase revenue for government and improve national security. It will also help enhance the remote audit trail of goods within the port system,” she said.
She stated that the equipment have the capacity to process up to 500 containers in a day, asking for cooperation of key stakeholders.
However, in a surprise twist, the Scanners were abandoned by the service for 100 per cent examination at the various seaports, with importers accruing sanctions from shipping companies and terminal operators.
Speaking to LEADERSHIP, the public relations officer, African Association of Professional Freight Forwarders of Nigeria (APFFLON), Tin Can Island Port Complex, Clinton Okoro, said the Customs had told clearing agents that cargoes will be scanned from the seaside, even before, getting to the terminal, a situation he said was a ruse.
According to Okoro, 90 percent of containers are going through 100 percent cargo examination, saying cargoes spend over one week instead of three days before it could exit the seaports.
He said, “What we see in the media concerning the scanning machines was a mirage. What they told us when we went for the workshop at Apapa was that the scanners will be installed at the berthing area and all the containers as they exit the Vessels will be scanned and once they are scanned, there won’t be hazzles of going through rigorous exercise of conducting another examination at the terminal, but as it is now, nothing like that, we still have our normal 100 percent examination and off course you know lot of issues we are facing such as delays.
“In 21st century, 100 per cent examination is hindering trade facilitation, causing delays because we have so many government agencies delay and lots of government alerts which is causing series of issues. If they want us to have enjoyed the promised they gave us, they should scan this containers at the seaside and if there is anything not in accordance with what’s in the system that is the e- Bill laden, then they should direct the containers for physical examination but as am talking to you today, almost every containers is on physical examination, so the scanners bringing down the coat of doing business at port is a mirage and Customs has failed woefully on the promise they gave, we are suffering here,” he lamented.
Also speaking, a member of National Council of Managing Director of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Humphrey Okwuosa, corroborated Okoro, saying cargoes larger percentage of cargoes still undergo 100 per cent physical examination at seaports.
According to him, Customs lacks proper training for the usage of the scanners as most results they get to send cargoes form 100 per cent examination are false.
He said, “Most of the scanners are not properly or adequately operated, there system is yet to be cync with it. They still go for 100 per cent examination even when there is no infractions and this is wrong. They still put containers on suspect. We are yet to have a scanning machine that will give correct report what the items in the containers are.
“The Customs should send more of its officers on training to be able to use the machine rightly and correctly. The officers still do 100 per cent physical examination, because after scanning, they must find one error or the other and most of the time are wrong after getting the scanning report but they use it to delay people for whatever reasons.
“For now, almost all containers are going through physical examination, infact 80 per cent of containers are going through physical examination, so what’s the essence of a scanner?” he asked.
