Apparently tired of the barrage of complaints emanating from the terminal as regards container scanning and positioning, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Custom Service, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi has threatened to close down the APM Terminal in Apapa, Lagos.
Dikko handed down this threat yesterday at an interactive forum with freight forwarders on the provisions of the newly-introduced Customs portal; The Nigerian Trade Hub.
Apparently tired of the barrage of complaints emanating from the terminal as regards container scanning and positioning, the Comptroller General of the Nigeria Custom Service, Alhaji Dikko Inde Abdullahi has threatened to close down the APM Terminal in Apapa, Lagos.
Dikko handed down this threat yesterday at an interactive forum with freight forwarders on the provisions of the newly-introduced Customs portal; The Nigerian Trade Hub.
Dikko was reacting to serial complaints from freight forwarders on the poor working conditions at the APM Terminal’s scanning site which has not be tarred even after seven years of concession. The other complaints given by the stakeholders were the delays experienced in the positioning of containers for scanning.
The CG who was visibly angry lambasted the terminal operator for disobeying directives issued to it by different ministers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria who had visited the terminal.
He said that if a better atmosphere is not provided at the terminal for agents and customs officers, he would use his powers to close down the terminal.
"I will close down the terminal until the condition that Customs officers can operate properly is met". "Many ministers have come here and they report this issue, but I will show them the power of customs", he said.
Dikko charged the freight forwarders to use their importers to resist the APM Terminals by diverting cargoes meant for the terminal to other terminals.
"This issue of APM Terminal, I have said it times without numbers, we allowed them to be doing what they do in Nigeria, they cannot go to any other country and operate the way they operate here"
"It is only when you give them work that they can operate, if don't bring containers they cannot operate, tell your importers to desert them, they are not the only people carrying containers"
"The last time I visited Ports and Cargo, it is owned by a Nigerian, but look at the equipment they deployed there, but APMT is packing your money and building another country, we should hold them responsible", the Customs boss charged.
Freight forwarders who took turn to speak at the meeting expressed happiness with the bold steps promised by the CGC. According to them, all complaints given over the years have been falling on deaf ears.
Reacting to the recent reports about the expiration of his tenure in office, Dikko bragged that he still remains the Comptroller General of Customs.
"Let me assure you, except Dr Goodluck Jonathan is no longer the President, but I remain the CG, and except Dr Ngozi Okonjo Iweala is no longer the coordinating minister of finance, I still remain".
"What I have started I must finish it, the rumor is supported by some disgruntled elements, if you argue with a fool, nobody will identify who is a fool, so don't mind them, we are going on with the transformation and modernization" he said.
Dikko mandated all Custom Area Controllers to ensure that they conduct a monthly meeting of stakeholders at every command. According to him, the minutes of the meeting must be sent to Customs headquarters.
Commenting on the features of the new trade portal and the Pre Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR), Dikko said that all the regulatory agencies and the Customs have been incorporated into the system to make clearance process easier.
According to him, the PAAR is designed to replace the RAR that is currently in use at the take-over from destination inspection agents, "assessment and all formalities will have been concluded even before the arrival of the cargo".
Also speaking on the sidelines of the meeting, Founder National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF); Dr Boniface Aniebonam, said that the customs chief's threat is in line with the powers conferred on the Nigeria Customs Service by the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA). Aniebonam added that the CEMA in sections 9, 10 and 12 gives the Customs full powers to exercise such control within the ports.
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