NSC Mobilises To Fast-Track Cargo Clearance At Ports

IN a bid to fast-track cargo clearance at the nation’s ports once the freight forwarder has lodged his entry for the process, the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) has initiated processes that would lead to the introduction of appropriate equipment and digital technology for the purpose.

To this end, officials of the Council have been holding meetings with providers of shipping services including terminal operators and shipping companies, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) and Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), among others, to ensure that they adopt measures and appropriate equipment that would facilitate quick clearance of goods at their terminals.

Executive Secretary of the NSC, Mr. Hassan Bello, who disclosed this in a chat with journalists, acknowledged that there has been a remarkable improvement on the part of the service providers and the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) on the time it takes to clear goods at the ports.

He noted that the target of the Council is to ensure that Nigerian ports achieve the efficiency level that is comparable to any international standard.

He also explained that quick clearance of goods at the ports would bring about multiplier effect on the nation’s economy that would benefit both providers and consumers of shipping services. 

Bello said the Council, as the Economic Regulator of the nation’s ports, was very much concerned about the dwell time of cargo in the ports, adding that the agency does not want a situation where goods stay so much in the ports before they are cleared.

He noted that he was happy for the cooperation his Council has been receiving from the providers of shipping services in the country.

“We are concerned about the dwell time on cargo. We don’t want cargo to stay very long in the port. Port is not a place of storage. As soon as cargo comes in, it is cleared. We encourage terminal operators to take their cargo away from the port for examination. We are happy we are getting cooperation from the Customs, the terminal operators and NPA. We commend NPA for introducing e-commerce, which means that payment, which used to take five days, is now done in minutes. Many agencies are embracing this. It is our job to ensure that the ports are efficient,” he said.

Bello pointed out that through various efforts of the Council and other agencies, there had been a remarkable improvement in ports efficiency.

He disclosed that importers who do not have query on their declarations after lodgment of entries could clear their goods within three days as against 21 days before, noting that the Council does not want ships bringing goods into the country to be delayed.