Government Officials Unite to Modernize Cargo Inspection Protocols at Nigerian Ports
LAGOS/Nigeria: In a significant development, key government officials, including the ministers of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, Transportation, Sen. Ahmed Alkali, and Comptroller General of Customs, Bashir Adeniyi, have reached a consensus to phase out physical inspections of cargoes at the nation’s ports.
The decision, reached in a resolution during a meeting in Lagos on Monday, aims to enhance port efficiency, competitiveness, and reduce congestion. The ministers emphasized the imperative use of modern technologies, such as scanners, to address port congestion issues and ensure a streamlined and competitive maritime environment.
The resolution, jointly signed by the spokesperson to the minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Ismail Omipidan, and Customs spokesman, Chief Superintendent of Customs, Abdullahi Maiwada, highlights the pivotal role of scanners in addressing congestion. The Comptroller General of Customs has been tasked with enforcing the use of scanners at ports, and private investors are encouraged to invest in deploying and maintaining these technologies.
The meeting, which saw the virtual attendance of the Managing Director of Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC), Fidet Okhiria, also resolved to construct a new route to bypass the fixed scanner at Apapa. This strategic move aims to ensure the smooth progression of the scanning process during crucial infrastructure development.
“The primary thrust of this collaborative venture is to deliberate and actualize initiatives that will not only open up ports but also foster seamless cooperation and trade facilitation. A key focal point of discussion was the strategic integration of the Non-Intrusive Inspection Technology (NIIT) to bolster operational efficiency in Nigerian Seaports,” the officials stated.
Key resolutions include prioritizing scanning over physical examination, acknowledging the pivotal role of NIIT in decongesting ports, and entrusting the Comptroller General of Customs with the mandate to champion cargo scanning over traditional examination methods.
Immediate action has been endorsed for the repair and optimization of existing scanners at prominent ports, such as Apapa, Tincan Island, Onne, and PTML. Simultaneously, existing mobile scanners will be strategically deployed to facilitate expeditious cargo inspections.
The Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) pledged continued commitment to freight cargoes to Inland container depots/dry ports, a strategic move to alleviate congestion at major ports. Plans were unveiled for efficient container evacuation from Port Harcourt to Aba, with future extensions envisaged for Onne Port.
“The meeting advocated for exploring Public-Private Partnerships to oversee the installation and maintenance of scanning technology. This collaborative model aims to sustain efficiency and foster innovation in cargo inspection processes,” they emphasized.
The collaborative synergy witnessed in this meeting underscores the unwavering commitment of the Nigerian government to cultivate a conducive and efficient trade environment. The anticipated implementation of these resolutions is poised to positively impact port decongestion, trade facilitation, and overall operational efficiency and competitiveness.
