Flying Of Containers Still Exists Here – Tin Can Port Customs Controller

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Isah Nuhu has confirmed that despite the various measures that have been out in place by the Nigeria Customs Service, the age- long practice of ‘container flying’ still exists in his command.

The Customs Area Controller in charge of the Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Isah Nuhu has confirmed that despite the various measures that have been out in place by the Nigeria Customs Service, the age- long practice of ‘container flying’ still exists in his command.
He told the executives of the three freight forwarding associations at a meeting on Wednesday that he is currently investigating a case of container ‘flying’  even  as he was said to have told the licensed customs agents that he is of the opinion that some  unscrupulous customs officers are part of the syndicate.  
Even though he expressed surprise that the practice is still prevalent in his command, he also agreed that the house of customs is not yet in order.
The Controller’s confirmation is the first from a ranking Customs officer, majority of  whom have always denied the existence of container theft syndicate who specialises in flying containers through the procurement of fake documents.  
At the meeting which was attended by the executives of the tree associations, namely: Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), National Association of Government  Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) and the National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents, the Controller also gave an indication that his officers still use the abolished customs duty benchmark.
Sources at the meeting told our correspondent that he directed releasing officers to discountenance benchmark, a directive that was applauded by the agents.
Another issue that caught the attention of Comptroller Nuhu was the complaints by the licensed customs agents that officers of Customs Investigation Unit (CIU) as well as Valuation and Enforcement officers were still interfering in the normal cargo clearance procedure, he reportedly recalled that at a meeting which he called between command and the units, he reminded them about the directives of the Customs Comptroller General on the issue.
The Tin Can Customs boss had reportedly told the officers that CIU officers who are present at the cargo examination base are supposed to only watch and report.
He was also reported to have advise the clearing agents about to comply fully with cargo clearance procedures so as to avoid their crago being intercepted by men of the Federal Operations Unit.