AT LAST: Customs Sets to Evacuate Overtime Cargoes At Lagos Ports, Conducts Examination in 2-Weeks

…Threatens to Sanction Erring Terminal Operators

By DAPO OLAWUNI

Fresh indications have emerged that the Nigeria Customs Service would be carrying out 100% examination on all overtime cargoes currently littering various seaports across Lagos, even as the service has threatened to sanction any terminal operator who puts up resistance against evacuation of these overtime cargoes.

To this end DAILY TREND gathered that a team of customs officers from Abuja led by Comptroller Abubakar, Sanusi, Comptroller in charge of Auction and Overtime Unit of Customs stormed Lagos with a mandate to examine all overtime cargoes within 2-weeks and send back a report to the customs headquarters for immediate action.

At the last check, DAILY TREND gathered that there are about 6,000 overtime containers at the ports. These containers were abandoned by consignees or detained by customs officers for reasons including under declaration, false declaration, import duty infringement and contraband.

According to the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA) after 90 days of grace period, if a cargo is still not cleared from the ports, it becomes an overtime cargo and is taken over by government through the Nigeria Customs Service. After the take-over, such cargoes are gazetted and a court order is obtained for them to be auctioned.

However, out current gathered that the last time a major evacuation was done at the Lagos port was in 2014. The 6,000 overtime containers are currently occupying about 25 per cent of port space.

In a report sent to DAILY TREND and signed by Rev Clinton Okoro, Public Relations Officer of African Professional Freight Forwarding and Logistics of Nigeria (APFFLON) at Tin-Can Chapter, the decision to begin evacuation of the overtime cargoes was disclosed at a stakeholders meeting held at Tin Can Island Port on 20th November 2022.

According to the APFFLON report, a team of customs officers from Abuja led by Comptroller Abubakar, Sanusi, Comptroller in charge of Auction and Overtime Unit of Customs, stormed Tin can Island port with a mandate to examine all overtime cargoes in the port within 2 weeks.

According to him, the meeting was well attended, as the Customs Area Controller, Tin can Island port Comptroller Kunle Oloyede welcomed all stakeholders and government agencies, even as he asked for the cooperation of all, to achieve the federal government’s mandate.

According to the report, Comptroller Oloyede has threatened to sanction any terminal operators who resists the customs from evacuating overtime cargoes from their terminals.

He also reportedly threatened to withdraw his men from such errant terminal.

Rev Okoro states “The CAC overtime cargo clearance Comptroller Sanusi, explained their purpose of coming and pleaded for the support of all stakeholders to carry out 100% examination on all the overtime containers then compile their report and submit to Abuja.

“Responding, the Director DSS and Deputy Director NDLEA Tin can Island port, welcomed Comptroller Sanusi and his team noting that their mission is backed by law, hence there is no need pleading for cooperation. Therefore, they are promised to give Nigerian customs service full support to achieve the desired result.

“First to speak among the stakeholders was the Chairman APPFLON Tin can Chapter, Fwdr Godfrey Nwosu, who recalled that similar exercise was carried out over 4 years ago and uptil now the overtime containers examined are still in the port, which will still form part of the containers to be examined.

“He said the main challenge in moving overtime containers are the terminal operators, who vehemently refused to move overtime cargoes to government designated warehouses in Ikorodu because they’re bent on collecting rent on the containers not minding the time spent.

“The chairman of Council of Managing Directors of Customs Licensed Agents Fwdr Victor concured to the allusion of APFFLON chairman citing provisions of CEMA and Concession agreement between the port operators and federal government.

“Comptroller Oloyode while responding did not hide his disappointment on the terminal operators on their disregard of government orders and the provisions of CEMA and warn that he’ll not fail to deal decisively with any operator (s) that fails to adhere to this order. He also said he’ll not fail to withdraw all personnel attached to such terminals.

“The secretary of ANLCA Barr. Michael asked when the operations will kick off so we (the freight forwarders) will inform and sensitize our members and clients.

“He was informed that Overtime cargo has nothing to do with importers or freight forwarders, it’s the property of the federal government.

“In summary, Comptroller Sanusi noted that after examination by the overtime cargo clearance team, a report will be forwarded to the headquarters. They will condemn the overtime cargo for gazetting by the federal government and make public for further actions”

Meanwhile, stakeholders have suggested that the best solution to overtime cargoes is for the Customs to auction these cargoes right inside the ports without necessarily evacuating them.

According to the stakeholders including the terminal operators, and Nigerian Ports Authority, since the there are no available spaces to move the cargoes to, it is better to dispose of them right inside the ports.