The Nigerian Customs Service is set to dispose of uncleared cargoes in the different ports across the country.
The actions is empowered by the new Customs Act, which empower the NCS to dispose of containers that have exceeded their allotted time within the ports.
This is coming as the Comptroller-General of the NCS, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, officially inaugurated a committee on Disposal of Overtime Cargo, to rid the ports of thousands of such cargoes, last week.
Speaking during the inauguration of the committee at the NSC headquarters in Abuja, Adeniyi highlighted the importance of decongesting the ports, noting that it brings about efficiency in ports operations.
He also stated that port congestion stands as a paramount objective for the Nigeria Customs Service. According to him, the provision of the NCS Act 2023 mandated the disposal of cargo exceeding its allotted time through a court order.
“It’s worth noting that approximately six months ago, the new NCS Act received the former President Mohammed Buhari’s signature, ushering in substantial modifications to the previous protocols governing the disposal of overtime cargo.
“The Act also stipulates that goods must be disposed of through public auction or tender, to be widely publicized in advance through national newspapers, television, and the service’s official website.”
Reacting, the General Manager of Managing Director’s office, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Mr Durowaiye Ayodele, expressed relief, highlighting the issue of containers that have remained uncleared for years across the ports.
“We have containers that have been there for over 10 years, occupying economic space for which we are unable to dispose. So this is a significant relief for our operations. We are delighted that we have reached a point where we can begin to remove some of these lingering containers and overdue cargo from the port,” he said.
In his remarks, Deputy Comptroller General of Customs in charge of Human Resources Development, Greg Itotoh, affirmed that with the support of the NPA, the changes and new procedures will ensure more streamlined trade operations in the country.
The committee as announced by the customs boss is to be chaired by a senior officer from the Nigeria Customs Service. Its members include representatives from the Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, the Federal Ministry of Finance, the Nigerian Police Force, and the Department of State Service (DSS).
Others are; the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), the National Agency for Food, Drugs and Control, a representative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, and the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, among others.
