Customs to launch 24-hr operations to boost trade

 

L-r: The Managing Director NPA, Mohammed Bello Koko; Executive Secretary/CEO Nigeria Shippers Council, Barr Pius Akutah, and the Honorable Minister of Federal Ministry of Marine & Blue Economy, HE, Alh. Oyetola Gboyega, arrive to discuss “Nigerian Maritime: Unlocking Potential, Overcoming Challenges” at the @BusinessDayNg Conference.

Fri, June 14, 2024

Haboursandport.com:

The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) is arranging for seaports to operate 24 hours. 

The aim is to remove barriers hindering export and import trade , according to Mohammed Bello-Koko, managing director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

Bello-Koko disclosed on Thursday this during BusinessDay Maritime Conference themed, ‘Nigeria Maritime: Unlocking Potential, Overcoming Challenges.'

"By operating round the clock, the ports can eliminate delays and costs associated with the non-clearing of cargo on weekends and public holidays. The management of Nigeria Customs has agreed to have its officers work on a shift basis to actualise 24-hour port operations and ensure cargo owners take delivery of their consignments without delays," he added. 

Bello-Koko said that the Comptroller-General of Customs has committed to work with the NPA to ensure that all those non-tariff barriers to trade that come with Customs procedures are removed.

He said the NPA is also working to improve port lighting and security to remove physical barriers that discourage nighttime operations for port users and service providers. 

The Ministry of Marine and Blue Economy has also opened discussions with terminal operators to see to the procurement of new scanners for cargo examination at ports while Customs pays them back through the Comprehensive Import Supervision Scheme (CISS),” he said. 

Bello-Koko said that Nigeria needs to rehabilitate and expand the berths of Apapa and Tin-Can Island Ports to receive bigger vessels for economies of scale for cargo owners. 

He pointing to the presence of multiple government agencies as one of the challenges, Bello-Koko said that government agencies need to streamline their units to eliminate and reduce costs and delays for cargo owners. 

On Nigeria’s ambitious plans to elevate the maritime sector to global standards, Adegboyega Oyetola, minister of Marine and Blue Economy, said the Federal Government is committed to developing a dynamic national policy framework for the Marine and Blue Economy, which would be launched by the end of 2024.