Few weeks after accusing the Nigeria Customs Service of frustrating paperless transactions at Nigerian ports, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has again raised alarm, saying that the APM Terminal in Apapa port has threatened to put a stop to online transactions at the port.
The association said that APMT is trying to permanently return to the era of manual operations at its terminal, a development which will further compound stakeholders’ frustration at the ports.
Few weeks after accusing the Nigeria Customs Service of frustrating paperless transactions at Nigerian ports, the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has again raised alarm, saying that the APM Terminal in Apapa port has threatened to put a stop to online transactions at the port.
The association said that APMT is trying to permanently return to the era of manual operations at its terminal, a development which will further compound stakeholders’ frustration at the ports.
Speaking in a chat with Shipping Position Daily last week, Chairman of Apapa Chapter of ANLCA, Mr. Olumide Fakanlu said that the APMT had unveiled it plans at a stakeholders meeting with the Nigerian Shippers’ Council last week, saying that it is not compulsory for the terminal to promote e-transaction in Nigerian ports.
"They have said that the issue of online transaction is a privilege offered by them and that it is not compulsory for them to carry it out"
"They said that online transaction is not compulsory but optional, they argued that they are the only terminal in Nigeria that is doing that" Fakanlu stated.
"If it will improve their efficiency, it is better they continue, but if it is not convenient for them, let them revert to manual and make it efficient, efficiency is all we are asking for, let examination and delivery be done efficiently".
ANLCA also agreed that, to a large extent it is true that only APMT is currently operating paperless transaction and online issuing of invoice, but stressed that the concessionaire should not be going backwards.
"If they do e-transaction, it is for convenience and they are adding value to their services, so if you are adding value why do you want to go back, instead of them to maintain the online service and be the leading concessionaire.
Fakanlu said that because of the system failure being experienced at the terminal, some of the freight forwarders have started getting their invoice online, some are still not able to get it, and it is being done manually.
He however lamented that APM Terminal usually have a crowded area when they do manual.
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