Freight Forwarders Fault One-Stop-Shop Impementation

Freight forwarders have faulted the execution of the one-stop-shop cargo examination and unequivocally stated that its implementation and the requisite intention of government agencies matter a lot.

Articulating this position, the Chairman, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), PTML chapter, Mr. Ugochukwu Nnadi, said “for instance at PTML, examination is conducted at the same time because all containers will have been positioned serially, but from there, you still have to go to the agencies one after the other to sign your examination form. There was a case some time ago, that an agency refused to sign a Customs examination form because of N200. So, it is not the issue of agencies being at the port at the same time, but for them to do what is expected of them. Security agencies are there to ensure that things inimical to the security of the nation do not come in, but unfortunately, they go there for their selfish interest and every effort being made to improve the service is often frustrated.”

The pre-scanning of containers, he added, is also a welcome development as, according to him, containers sometimes stay as long as three days or more in some terminals before they are scanned.

A licensed Customs agent, Chief Frank Obiakezi, also lauded the development, but noted that the problem in the ports has to do with the human element.

He explained that the multiple units in the Nigeria Customs Service may affect the successful implementation of the one-stop-shop, alleging that the Customs duplicates its units in a bid to extort money from agents.

P.M.NEWS confirmed that the Apapa Area 1 Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) regularly holds a monthly stakeholders forum.

The forum, which is an initiative of the Comptroller-General of Customs, Dikko Abdulahi, is aimed at stemming the tide of the re-occurring problem of delays in cargo clearance at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa, Lagos and to create a channel whereby all stakeholders operating at the port can interact with a view to improve service delivery.

Notably among the issues discussed and resolutions reached on how to effect change and fast-tracking of cargo clearance procedure at the inaugural stakeholders’ forum last month, were the introduction of one-stop-shop cargo examination and the pre-scanning of containers.

The rationale for the initiative is to create a platform where the Customs, in collaboration with all other government agencies involved in cargo clearance at the port, will jointly carry out examination at a designated time with a view to reducing, if not totally eliminating problem of delays occasioned by multiple cargo examination.

Comptroller Suleiman Idris had at a press briefing last week emphatically stated that the one-stop-shop cargo examination is still on course.

He reiterated the command’s decision to overrule any government agencies that attempt to fault the efforts of the implementation of the scheme by not being represented as at the time of the examination.

Idris explained that the one-stop-shop, if implemented, will not only impact positively on the service delivery of the command, but the desired cargo dwell time will be achieved, adding that agents will not also incur additional cost caused by demurrage.