Cargo Clearance: Stakeholders fret over Customs’ ability to deliver

Following the presidential directive on the ease of doing business and the plans of the Nigeria Customs Service, NCS, to reduce the time it takes for import and export procedures to be undertaken, stakeholders in the maritime industry have expressed skepticism over the ability of the customs service to deliver on it.
Special Assistant on Media to the National President of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents, Mr. Joe Sanni said, while it is a welcome development to do so, the political will might not be there.
“It is a welcome development, but my fear is that the political will to carry it through is not there. The attitude of the men and women in Customs needs to be checked because, they do not have the attitude, character and capacity to allow things work positively. Well, anything that can reduce the cargo clearance to less than 48 hours is more than welcome,” he said.
However, the Deputy National President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders, Ugochukwu Nnadi, said that while it was the move to come up with ease of doing business was commendable, corruption remains the bane of the maritime industry
“The problem in Nigeria is not that we do not have what it takes to move forward, it is just that corruption in the system does not allow it to work. The Single Window that Customs spent a lot of money on is not yet implemented; and they are talking about another plan again. I feel they just want to be heard and noticed. They need to get themselves cultured and disciplined to carry out their roles properly; and that is the only way we can get all that we want at our seaports,” he added.
Similarly, Frank Aliakor, a licensed customs agent, lauded the initiative, but expressed fear about its implementation.
“It is a very good development, if it can be well carried out by Customs, because that is what we have been longing for. We have been talking about 48 hours’ cargo delivery, but there are still situations where it takes up to a week or two before goods are cleared. The most important thing is seeing the implementation and ensure that things are done well at the ports. So, all the stakeholders should get involved and make sure people do not find it difficult in the process of doing business,” he added.