Oluyinka Onigbinde
The Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has threatened Five Star Logistics Ltd terminal over the inability of importers and their agents to exit their vehicles that are trapped at the terminal.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that the Tin Can Island Command of the Nigeria Customs Service has deactivated the terminal from its portal since July 6th, 2022 over unpaid assessment charges to the Customs which are said to have accumulated to millions of naira.
Our correspondent gathered that due to this blockage of the terminal from accessing the customs portal, Customs Licensed Agents whose vehicles and cargo have already been released could not exit their consignment due to this problem.
When contacted, Mr Uche Ejesieme, the Public Relations Officer, Tin Can Island Port Command, who confirmed the deactivation said that the terminal was owing up to N97.3 million unpaid assessments.
Ejesieme said that the system had a way of updating itself, noting that it was in the cause of examination of certain transactions that the matter came up.
“On July 7, the exit access of the Five Star Logistics was blocked by the Nigerian Customs Service following an investigation which revealed an unpaid assessment to the tune of N97.3 million.
“Customs asked them to pay and the only condition for unblocking their access is the payment of the unpaid assessment.
“Even after payment and we discover that there was no justification for that, there is room for refund,” he said.
However, in a statement made available to our correspondent last weekend, the acting President of ANLCA, Dr. Kayode Farinto sent a strong warning to the terminal operators of the association’s intention to engage the terminal operator in a legal battle if they fail to resolve their problem with the Customs between now and next week Tuesday, July 19th.
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Farinto in the statement urged ANLCA members to calm their frayed nerves, stating that the association is monitoring the situation for appropriate action.
He however warned that if by next week Tuesday, the issue is not resolved; the association will drag the terminal to court for redress against breach of contract
Farinto also reminded the terminal operators that they should be ready to take full responsibility for the crisis and not make any attempt to charge demurrage during the blockage.
“However, we shall be giving the terminal operator between now and next Tuesday (July 19th, 2022) to resolve their issue with Nigeria Customs.
“So also, Five Star Logistics should know that she will be responsible for all demurrages and storages that may accrue within this period from the 6th of July to date”, he stated.
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