Freight forwarders operating in the nation's seaports have threatened to shut down port activities if the destination inspection service providers are not sent packing by 1st of Jully 2013.
This position was unanimously expressed yesterday at a closed door meeting between the freight forwarders and a four-man deligation from the world bank which held at the boardroom of the Apapa area 1 custom command.
Freight forwarders operating in the nation's seaports have threatened to shut down port activities if the destination inspection service providers are not sent packing by 1st of Jully 2013.
This position was unanimously expressed yesterday at a closed door meeting between the freight forwarders and a four-man deligation from the world bank which held at the boardroom of the Apapa area 1 custom command.
Even though press men were deliberately barred from the discussions, sources at the meeting confirmed to Shipping Position Daily that the delegates had earlier visited the terminal operators and shipping companies and they were given the impression that the Nigerian custom service is a haven of corruption.
It was however gathered that the freight forwarders threw their weight behind the Nigerian customs to take over the scheme because the current inspection agents have not lived up to the terms of their contract agreement.
"The delegates where like advisers to the federal government, they were asking probing questions on if customs can take over because obviously they have some information at their dispossal, but we have told them that if the federal government refuse to terminate the contract, we will shut the port by Jully 1st" a source said.
Also, in its presentation at the meeting, a copy of which was obtained by our correspondent, the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF) stated that "we observe there are rumours and insinuations that the six months extention may be the first step towards renewing the contract of the service providers, either as DI or PSI agent"
NAGAFF however recomended that the customs should be removed from the finance ministry and placed under ministry of justice and that they should be granted partial autonomy.
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