By Joshua Yousouph
Exporters appear divided over alleged bottlenecks arising from the linkage of export cargo assessment to the Electronic Call- Up system at the ports, with some operators claiming the process is causing delays and demurrage, while industry representatives and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) insist that the procedure is running smoothly.
The development is coming at a time when export activities through Lilypond export terminal are expanding significantly, making efficiency in the cargo clearance and evacuation process increasingly important.
Shipping Position Daily recalls rising export activities at the Lilypond Export Command of the NCS, which recorded export cargo valued at $792.56 million in the second quarter of 2026.
The Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Samuel Ariyibi, who disclosed this at a recent news conference in Lagos, said the figure represented a $192.96 million increase over the $599.60 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, translating to a 24.35 per cent growth.
Ariyibi also disclosed that the command processed 5,510 export containers during the quarter, compared with 3,732 containers in the same period of 2025, representing an increase of 1,778 containers or 32.27 per cent.
However, despite the growth in export value and container throughput, some exporters have raised concerns over what they described as delays associated with the E-Call Up process.
According to the exporters, linking the assessment of export cargo to the E-Call Up and related procedures is delaying the movement and clearance of cargoes, with such delays potentially exposing them to additional terminal charges and demurrage.
They argued that the development could undermine efforts by the Federal Government to promote exports and reduce the cost of doing business at Nigerian ports, particularly for time-sensitive consignments.
But the allegation has been disputed by the NCS and the Association of West African Exporters and Maritime Professionals (AWAEMAP), which said it had not received complaints suggesting that the procedure was creating problems for exporters.
The Public Relations Officer of the Lilypond Export Command, ASC B. Olusola-Oke, when contacted, debunked the allegation, saying she had not received any complaint from exporters concerning Customs tying cargo assessment to the E-Call Up system.
She said the processes at the command were going on smoothly, urging that stakeholders with specific complaints should bring them forward for investigation.
The conflicting positions have created a divide among stakeholders over whether the E-Call Up process represents a genuine bottleneck in export clearance or whether the reported difficulties are primarily linked to exporters’ understanding and compliance with the current procedure.
Similarly, the Administrative and Secretariat Head of AWAEMAP, Veronica Chioma Anorue, said the alleged challenge should not ordinarily arise, if exporters followed the prescribed procedures.
Anorue explained that exporters are expected to work with Customs-approved Export Processing Terminals (EPTs) and obtain their SVG closure documentation, after which the relevant letter can be presented to Customs.
She said the procedure had been explained to members of the association and that exporters experiencing difficulties could approach the AWAEMAP secretariat for guidance.
According to her, the association had not received complaints from its members that the E-Call Up process was creating a general bottleneck.
She recalled that an exporter contacted her about two weeks ago, but the inquiry was about how to complete the process rather than a complaint that the system was causing delays.
Anorue further suggested that some exporters may be experiencing difficulties because they were not following the prescribed procedure, noting that some operators may be attempting to circumvent established processes.
She said, “For now, there are no challenges, particularly regarding the export processes,” adding that AWAEMAP was currently engaging shipping lines, terminals and government agencies on issues affecting exporters.
