Customs Moves to Clear 905 Abandoned Vehicles, Cargoes to Ease Lagos Port Congestion

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has commenced the automation of its overtime cargo clearance system in Lagos, a measure expected to fast-track the evacuation of more than 905 abandoned vehicles and hundreds of stalled containers that have clogged key seaports for years.

The initiative, unveiled on Monday in Zone A Commands, will cover 434 pieces of 40-foot containers and 120 pieces of 20-foot containers long held up at the Apapa, Tin Can Island, and Ports & Terminal Multipurpose Limited facilities. Many of these consignments, comprising used vehicles, groupage containers, and scrap metals, have remained uncleared for as long as 15 years, worsening congestion at the ports.

Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, described the move as a decisive step to end inefficiencies in cargo management.

He disclosed that more than half of the complaints reaching his office daily are linked to overtime cargo, stressing that the reform is aimed at facilitating trade rather than generating revenue.

“In 2024, our revenue profile rose to N6.3 trillion, yet less than one per cent came from the sale of overtime cargo. Our objective is not about revenue but about transparency, efficiency, and supporting economic growth,” Adeniyi said.

Under the new digital system, cargoes left uncleared beyond 30 days will automatically be referred to the Assistant Comptroller-General for clearance approval, while those lingering beyond three months will escalate to Customs Headquarters. Any consignment left for over 120 days will proceed to disposal in line with legal procedures, with depreciation factored into valuation.

Assistant Comptroller-General of Idaho Umar explained that the automation will simplify procedures, strengthen data integrity, reduce human contact, and prevent arbitrary disposal of goods. “This initiative will bring transparency, ease congestion, and restore public confidence in cargo management,” he said.

Special desks have also been created at Customs Headquarters and across commands to prioritise government projects, organise private sector imports, and diplomatic consignments.

Stakeholders at the sensitisation exercise in Lagos welcomed the reform, with Customs assuring that continuous consultations with terminal operators, shipping companies, and freight forwarders will ensure the system remains effective.

Customs leadership emphasised that the overarching aim is to make Nigeria’s ports more competitive by reducing delays, cutting costs for importers, and unlocking long-stalled goods for productive use in the economy.