There are indications that the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service may have suffered a major setback as the transmitting masts at two commands; Apapa Command and Kirikiri Command have been destroyed due to heavy downpour and the accompanied storm of last Sunday.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that, more than 70 percent of operations at both commands were adversely affected even as freight forwarders have expressed fears about possible imposition of demurrage on their cargoes.
There are indications that the operations of the Nigeria Customs Service may have suffered a major setback as the transmitting masts at two commands; Apapa Command and Kirikiri Command have been destroyed due to heavy downpour and the accompanied storm of last Sunday.
Shipping Position Daily gathered that, more than 70 percent of operations at both commands were adversely affected even as freight forwarders have expressed fears about possible imposition of demurrage on their cargoes.
The image maker of the Apapa command of the Customs; Mr Emmanuel Ekpa confirmed the accident to our correspondent yesterday, he confirmed that the rain affected the Customs masts and that operations were also affected.
"The mast fell, and it is the mast that we use in working, but we are working on it", he assured.
He said that the rain also damaged the roof of the Apapa Customs building, adding that, "if rain should fall now all our documents will be affected"
Also confirming the development to our correspondent, Public Relations Officer of the Kirikiri Lighter Terminal (KLT) command of customs, Mr. Amadi Ndidi said that the command was also affected by the heavy downpour.
He however said that work is going on at the Customs Processing Centers (CPC) because the Customs is using a backup mast for skeletal operations.
Amadi assured that engineers are already working round the clock to ensure that the challenges are resolved.
Speaking with our correspondent however, a freight forwarder, Mr. Frank Aliakor confirmed that the damaged mast has caused hiccups in the clearing procedure.
Aliakor confirmed that, "it happened with the rain that fell with a powerful breeze, the mast was affected, and this has affected operations here, the development caused hiccups".
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