Customs, Ministries of Blue Economy, Transport Partner on Port Decongestion, Trade Facilitation

•Agree on immediate action to rectify, optimise existing scanners at prominent ports

James Emejo in Abuja

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) yesterday initiated a strategic engagement with critical stakeholders, including Ministries of Marine and Blue Economy as well as Transportation, to deliberate and actualise measures that would not only open up the nation’s ports, but also foster seamless cooperation and trade facilitation.

The meeting sought the strategic integration of the Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology (NIIT) to boost operational efficiency in the country’s seaports.

It was attended by Minister of Marine and Blue Economy,  Gboyega Oyetola; Minister of Transportation, Senator Said Ahmed Alkali; Comptroller General of Customs (CGC), Bashir Adeniyi; and Managing Director, Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria.

The stakeholders resolved to prioritise scanning over physical examination.

In a joint statement issued at the end of the meeting, which was signed by Customs spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, and media aide to Minister of Marine, and Blue Economy, Ismail Omipidan, the parties acknowledged the pivotal role of NIIT in efforts to decongest the ports.

The engagement entrusted the CGC with the mandate to champion and prioritise cargo scanning over traditional physical examination methods.

It further endorsed an immediate action to rectify and optimise all existing scanners at prominent ports, including Apapa, Tincan Island, Onne, and PTML.

The parties agreed that simultaneously, the existing mobile scanners will be strategically deployed to facilitate expeditious cargo inspections.

NRC also pledged its continued commitment to freighting cargoes to inland container depots/dry ports, a strategic move to alleviate congestion at major ports.

Plans were unveiled for the efficient evacuation of containers from Port Harcourt to Aba, with future extensions envisaged for Onne Port.

Furthermore, against the backdrop of rail track construction, NRC agreed on a pragmatic approach to bypass the fixed scanner at Apapa to ensure an unhindered progression of scanning process during crucial infrastructure development.

The statement noted that the collaborative synergy witnessed during the meeting underscored the unwavering commitment of the federal government to cultivate a conducive and efficient trade environment.

The communique further stressed that the anticipated implementation of these resolutions would positively impact port decongestion, trade facilitation, and overall operational efficiency and competitiveness.

The meeting advocated exploring Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs) to oversee the installation and maintenance of scanning technology to sustain efficiency and foster innovation in cargo inspection processes.