Exporters Lament Financial Losses Due to Limited Vessel Calls, Poor Cargo Evacuation At Apapa, Tin Can Port
Nigerian exporters at a recent stakeholders meeting organised by the Lillypond Export Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, raised concerns about procedural delays at the Tincan and Apapa ports, prolonged container transfer times, and limited vessel calls all of which continue to hinder timely cargo evacuation and cause financial losses.
The customs quarterly stakeholders’ meetin was used to unveiled the B’Odogwu platform, a new digital system designed to streamline export documentation and enhance efficiency across the export value chain.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders from both public and private sectors to review operational progress, resolve challenges, and strengthen collaboration for seamless export procedures.
In his opening remarks, the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Command, Comptroller Ajibola Odunsanya, expressed appreciation for the sustained cooperation of stakeholders and underscored the importance of synergy in achieving Nigeria’s trade facilitation goals.
“We are committed to strengthening our partnership with all actors in the export chain,” he said. “Issues surrounding Nigeria Export Proceeds (NXP) documentation that once hindered the smooth movement of export cargo have been addressed. Our renewed engagement with stakeholders has yielded improvements in process efficiency and built mutual trust.”
A major highlight of the meeting was the unveiling of the B’Odogwu platform. The Acting Deputy Comptroller in charge of Revenue, Assistant Comptroller of Customs Rauf Kassim, gave a comprehensive presentation on the platform’s features and benefits. He encouraged exporters, agents, and terminal operators to adopt the platform for faster, more transparent, and efficient documentation.
Parallex Bank, sponsors of the meeting, used the interactive session to introduce their tailored financial solutions for exporters, reaffirming their support for the non-oil export sector.
Stakeholders at the meeting commended the Lilypond Export Command for simplifying and accelerating export processes in Nigeria, noting that the improvements had not only enhanced the operations of existing exporters but also encouraged new entrants and foreign investors. However, they raised concerns about persistent challenges at the terminals and with shipping lines. These include procedural delays at Tincan and Apapa, prolonged container transfer times, and limited vessel calls all of which continue to hinder timely cargo evacuation and cause financial losses.
In his closing remarks, Comptroller Odunsanya commended all attendees for their active participation and reiterated the Command’s commitment to fostering a trade-friendly environment.
“We will continue to collaborate with all stakeholders, including government agencies, terminal operators, and financial institutions, to remove bottlenecks and drive export growth,” he said.
