By Steve Agbota
The National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), has urged President Bola Tinubu to urgently reform the clearance process for overtime goods at the nation’s ports and government’s warehouse in Ikorodu, Lagos.
This was contained in a letter signed by the president of NCMDLCA, Lucky Amiwero and addressed to President Tinubu where he pointed out a series of systemic issues that contribute to the congestion of unentered and overtime goods, which include inadequate infrastructure, lingering COVID-19 restrictions and inefficient dispute resolution mechanisms at ports.
“Additional problems such as poor road conditions, excessive procedures, charges by port operators and the lack of efficient scanning machines were cited as exacerbating the backlog and abandonment of goods.
“These issues not only cause significant delays but also lead to containers being abandoned, which results in revenue losses for both the government and importers,” he said.
He emphasised the need for an orderly clearance procedure that would offer importers and licensed customs agents the initial oppourtunity to clear goods before considering them for public auction.
Referencing legal statutes, the letter pointed out that goods deposited in government warehouses unclaimed before April 2023 should follow normal customs clearance procedures, as outlined in section 97 of the relevant act.
He proposed the formation of an expert committee dedicated to evaluating and resolving the causes of cargo abandonment to facilitate more efficient goods clearance at ports.
According to him, this initiative would not only enhance revenue generation but also reduce financial and operational losses for the government, importers, and customs agents alike.
In the letter, he further emphasised the broad impact of these challenges on Nigeria’s import-export sector and the urgent need for governmental action to streamline processes and enhance overall port functionality.
Amiwero’s call reflects widespread concern within the industry and underscores the need for immediate and effective governmental intervention.