THE National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDCLA), PTML branch, has blamed duplication of functions by government agencies as a major factor responsible for delays in cargo clearance.
The PTML chapter Chairman of NCMDLCA, Ari Ayuba, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos.
He said that the application of automated and manual processing of cargo clearance created room for duplication, adding that people often interfered with the system.

He said, “It is supposed to be 48 hours cargo clearance but because of the duplication of duties by the officers, delays happen.
“The [Nigeria] Customs Service should work with the automated system as it applies in other parts of the world.
“Less human interference is required to ensure that the system works effectively and by now, the process should have been faster and easier,” Ayuba told NAN.

He urged customs agents to avail themselves of training in order to understand better the technicalities involved.
“That is why it is important for agents to know the tariff and classification well so that the Customs do not catch in on your ignorance when they should be trade facilitators,” the freight forwarder said.
Ayuba also suggested that the Comptroller-General of Customs, Col Hameed Ali, should address the issue of officers raising Debit Notes (DNs) for agents after a container had left the customs system.
“You will go to the gate thinking your container is about coming out; somebody at the gate will just hold your document that you did not pay very well,” he said.

Ayuba said these were some of the reasons why doing business in Nigerian ports had become more expensive.
According to him, the terminal operator will collect his money for the extra days the cargo stays.

The Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi recently reiterated the commitment of the Federal Government to revamp transport infrastructure, as part of measures to diversify the nation’s economy and  improve non-oil sector.

Speaking during an interactive session with journalists in Lagos, the Minister said an improved transport master plan was underway.
 
According to Amaechi, the proposed master plan would reduce unemployment and develop the rural economy.
He  explained that the Federal Government  was determined to fully exploit the potentials of the transport sector by opening it up for new investment.

Explaining further, Amaechi said: “The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is in the process of developing a national transportation master plan that will be implemented as a fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to diversify the national economy while improving non-oil revenues.

“While reducing dependence on oil revenues, it will also develop the rural economy, reduce unemployment and urban drift.
“The problems of Nigerian transport system include bad roads, inadequate fleet of buses and trucks; irregular and inadequate trains and airplanes services and congested ports.”

“The government of President Muhammadu Buhari is in the process of developing a national transportation master plan that will be implemented as a fulfillment of one of his campaign promises to diversify the national economy while improving non-oil revenues.
“While reducing dependence on oil revenues, it will also develop the rural economy, reduce unemployment and urban drift.