…as 1000 delegates take part in conference
APM Apapa Terminal has been accused of causing delays in cargo clearance and frustrating government’s Ease of Doing Business policy.

Speaking during an assessment visit by Nigeria Customs Headquarters Public Relations Unit to the command, stakeholders accused the terminal operator of delaying positioning of containers for examination and late opening of access gate into the ‘examination area’.

Musa Jibrin, Customs Area Controller, Apapa command, blamed the company for working with only one forklift at the ‘examination area’ where about 200 containers are supposed to be examined daily.

The Controller expressed shock over a recent report by a section of the media blaming Customs for slowing the pace of cargo clearance at the port, alleging that the company does not have adequate manpower on the ground to prosecute the volume of job in the terminal.

He said his command is ready to effect prompt release of cargo within four hours if all documentations are perfected within the ‘Traders’ Zone’.

Rufai Alao, Deputy Comptroller in-Charge of APM Apapa Terminal, lamented the delays in the terminal’ pointing accusing finger on the operator.

He blamed the company for not providing shuttle vehicles to convey Customs officers from the gate of the port to the scanner site where they are not allowed to drive through.

He also said that no canopy or make shift shelters for prevention of rain and sun was provided for Customs operatives at the terminal.

According to him, several letters the Customs wrote to the company to address the issues affecting smooth port operations at the terminal are yet to be acted upon by the company.

Hong Samuel Ikujare of Nigeria Agricultural Qurantine Service and Idris Inuwa Maikano of National Agency for Food Drug Administration and Control, (NAFDAC) who arrived late for the assessmen,t blamed their lateness on the delays in opening access gate to the ‘examination area’.

David Ikeji, a freight forwarder also said his colleagues chose to stay back as coming on time had never translated to quick cargo clearance from APM Terminal.

Spokesman for Nigeria Customs Service, Joseph Attah, said the visit to the terminal was to have an on the spot assessment of happenings at the terminal as they concern ease of doing business.

An official of APMT, who declined comment said his company will work to improve on quality of service delivery.

Efforts to get the reaction of the Spokesman of the company, Mr. Austin Fitscher, was not successful after several calls to his phone, as at press time.