Entrance to the Tincan Port, Apapa, Lagos | credits: Odutayo Odusanya
The Nigeria Customs Service is said to have recalled about five of its officials at the APM terminals at Apapa, Lagos.
As a result of the development which was said to have occurred about two weeks ago, only one officer is said to have been left at the terminal.
About five customs officials were said to have been recalled to the Customs headquarters at Abuja to answer queries on misconduct.
A licensed customs agent, Mr. David Pius, told Sunday PUNCH that clearing activities at the terminal had been adversely affected by the development.
He said, “Presently at APM terminals, there is only one customs official, carrying out the duties of about six persons.
“This official, a lady, is the only person from the customs who would be present at the physical examination of consignments. After that, the same lady would have to go and write a report on that same container before releasing it.
“A process that would ordinarily had taken a day or two for the release of cargo under normal circumstances is now taking a week.
“This delay is costing us a lot in terms of demurrage. I learned those recalled to Abuja had queries to answer. The customs should be able to send people to replace them at the APM terminals while they sort themselves out at Abuja. We don’t have to suffer for it. There is no way that woman can successfully carry out all the duties of her colleagues combined.”
Plus also criticised the frequent breakdown of the server at some customs command. He said such incidents were unacceptable to freight forwarders and customs agents who are often the victims.
