Tin Can Customs, ANLCA Strategise on Movement of 8,000 Overtime Containers to Ikorodu Terminal

By DAPO OLAWUNI
Ikorodu Bonded Warehouse Operatives under the auspices of Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) has appealed to the Nigeria Customs Service to address the delay in transfer of overtime cargoes to the Federal Government Warehouse at Ikorodu Lagos.
Chairman of ANLCA at Ikorodu chapter, Comrade Jimoh Lawal stated this when he led other executives on a courtesy visit to the Customs Area Controller, Tin Can Island Port, Compt Olakunle Oloyede on Tuesday.
The group urged the customs boss to look into the challenges they are facing, not just at Tin Can Port but in all other ports where containers are supposed to be transfered to Ikorodu.
The ANLCA Chairman, Jimoh Lawal indicated that there is an existing empty space that can take up to 8,000 containers at the Ikorodu warehouse.
DAILY TREND reports that it is the responsibility of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) to bear the cost of actual movement of the cargoes to the government warehouse at Ikorodu.
The duty of Terminal Operators is to generate the Uncleared Cargo List (UCL) and send to the Nigeria Customs Service after every 28-days.
The Tin Can Customs Area Comptroller, Olakunle Oloyede has however has said he is going to rejig this timely submission of UCL by all terminal operators at the command.
Speaking with DAILY TREND after the closed door meeting, Public Relations Officer of Tin Can Customs Command, Mr Uche Ejesieme said Comptroller Oloyede was happy about the visit and has promised to work with ANLCA in ensuring smooth transfer of the overtime cargoes to Ikorodu.
Ejesieme said the Ikorodu Bonded Warehouse now has space that can accommodate more than 7,000 overtime containers as assured by the visiting ANLCA team.
“The CAC was happy about the development and has advised them to ensure that there are no longer communications gaps, because when they created these spaces, they didn’t communicate to anybody.
“Secondly, he asked them to learn how to always communicate to the appropriate authorities, especially the ACG Zone A, who would now direct the command on further action.
“He also called for adequate communication between the terminal and the area commands in order ensure ease of operations.
“He advised the group to write to the ACG and communicate all these opportunities so that he can advise accordingly.
“For us at Tin Can, we are interested in creating space, so that we can accommodate fresh cargoes, we are not interested in overtime cargoes, what we are interested in is fresh cargoes, so that we can collect appropriate revenue for the government” Ejesieme stated.
Also briefing DAILY TREND at the end of the closed door meeting, Ikorodu ANLCA Chairmen, Comrade Jimoh Lawal said the Customs Area Controller, Olakunle Oloyede has agreed to work with the association in transferring overtime cargoes at Tin Can Port.
“In fact, we were so surprised, he assured that this would be with immediate effect.
“He has advised us to go and prepare more space over there at Ikorodu and we have started the process”
Comrade Jimoh stated that the last time cargo was transferred to Ikorodu terminal was in year 2020, while numerous overtime cargoes lying are down at the port and causing congestion at the ports in Lagos.
“The terminal operator at Ikorodu are seriously ready, and we are also there to support them.
“The CAC said that instead of us doing self transfer of two or three containers, he would prefer mass evacuation of the overtime cargoes.
“We need to consider the importers of these cargoes, the most important thing is that if these goods are moved to Ikorodu, it would be easier for them to get it without stress. This would also generate more revenue to the customs and the Federal Government.
“It would accrue little rent, capturing, and delivery. Those who have not paid their duty, definitely when they get to Ikorodu, they would do so.
Thank God we have DTI at Ikorodu, you can always capture and access your jobs and release them.
“It would generate more revenue for the government and reduce the congestion. If there is no congestion, cargoes would move easily” Jimoh stated