Licensed customs agents in the maritime industry are lamenting what they described as inefficiency on the part of Five Star Logistics Limited in the clearing of vehicles from its terminal.
Some of the agents, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos, complained that the introduction of security guards to accompany importers and freight forwarders to the terminal to examine vehicles has led to delay in clearing.
Licensed customs agents in the maritime industry are lamenting what they described as inefficiency on the part of Five Star Logistics Limited in the clearing of vehicles from its terminal.
Some of the agents, who spoke with our correspondent in Lagos, complained that the introduction of security guards to accompany importers and freight forwarders to the terminal to examine vehicles has led to delay in clearing.
According to them, there is the need for the vehicle terminal operator to re- address the process of securing the terminal against pilferage and damage to vehicles at the premises.
Mr. Frank Kenechukwu; a clearing Agent, told Shipping Position Daily last week that since the introduction of the new system by the terminal operator, it has created bottlenecks at the exit gate of Five Star Logistics terminal. The agent said that the order has created problems in the clearing of vehicles from the terminal
Kenechukwu urged that terminal operator to find another way to tackle rising insecurity and vandalism on vehicles in the premises in order to restore efficient service delivery on the part of the concessionaire.
‘’Since the introduction of the order by the terminal operator, I must say that there has been delay in the process of clearing vehicles from the terminal and another thing I noticed about the directive from the operator is that importer who import new vehicles and their agents are accompanied by security personnel to the park’’ Kenechukwu noted.
He went further to say that “the terminal operator is treating us as if we are not part of the distribution chain and they do not have regards for agents, which I must say it is not good for the business’’.
He also noted that clearing agents with fewer units of vehicles to clear from the terminals are not given urgent attention in the process of clearing.
Others that spoke with our correspondent however kicked against the introduction of the new measures that were recently put in place by the terminal operator, alleging that it hampers smooth clearance of vehicles out of the terminal.
But the assistance director planning and statistics of Five Star Logistics Limited Mr. Chuks Okereafor have earlier told our correspondent that the measures were put in place to forestall pilferage and damage to vehicles in the terminal.
He said that the terminal is vulnerable to vehicles vandalism and pilfering noting that, ‘’those that do not have business the vehicles in the terminal would not be allowed in’’.
According to him, more security measures will be put in place to ensure safety of vehicles in the terminal.
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