Vehicle Importers Suffer Thefts, Missing of Car Batteries, Keys, Sensors At Lagos Bonded Terminals

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Importation of vehicles into Nigerian ports and onward transmission to bonded terminals have continuously been characterised with theft, vandalism of various levels, including theft of car batteries, catalyst, car keys, sensors amongst others.

Findings by DAILY TREND revealed that some of these vandalism acts which is usually referred to activities of wharf rats (port thieves) thrived at the Lagos RoRo terminals, especially at Tin Can Island Port, but it has now extended to bonded terminals.

Findings at the Bonded Terminals by our correspondent unearthed several complaints from freight forwarders that vehicles in transit from the ports to the terminals are tampered with, while some have alleged insecurities inside some of the bonded terminals.

To this end, the Clearing Agents operating at the Tin Can Island Port last week, held meetings with a RoRo terminal; Five Star Logistics Terminal, and her concerned sister bonded terminals; Classic Bonded Terminal and Clarion Bonded Terminal.

Youth leader of the Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) at Tin Can Port, Hon Remilekun Sikiru while intimating members in a report at the end of the closed door meeting, said the terminal operators and it’s bonded terminals have promised to put an end to thefts and pilfering on imported vehicles.

In his report on Clarion Bonded, he said “The issues of dumping of vehicles at Maza Maza by Clarion was seriously discussed and they promised drastic change from now on”

On the stealing of catalyst and other missing parts of vehicles, Hon Remilekun enjoined importers and clearing agents to taka a proper check of vehicles before taking delivery.

He said that once they noticed that any part of the vehicle is missing, such cases should be reported immediately to the office of Management of Clarion Terminal, Mr Francis Okocha.

On the same challenges going on at Classic Bonded Terminal “Missing of batteries and keys/sensors were discussed, which the terminal representative really assured us that such will be a thing of the past and that security wise, they are working on areas to ensure such theft act is totally stopped”

“Please take a proper check on your vehicle before taking delivery from the terminals, and if you notice any missing parts pls contact MR GABRIEL in TEDI terminal” he said