Scanning Machine Operators Frustrating Cargo Clearance At Seaports-Freight Forwarders Allege

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Authorities of the Nigeria Customs Service, have maintained that they will not be distracted from their onerous tasks of trade facilitation and revenue generation.

They insisted that the service is too focused on performing effectively its responsibilities to be engaged in frivolities.

The NCS reaction is coming on the heels of accusation of subversion and sabotage leveled against operators of scanning machines at the Western Seaports by the National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders NAGAAFF.

In a formal petition at the weekend, the National Coordinator of NAGAFF’s 100% Compliance Team, Dr Ibrahim Tanko, accused the operators of  “deliberately, purposely and maliciously subverting the original plan and purpose of introducing scanning machines in cargo clearing processes ,particularly at the country’s Western ports”

The body said the alleged actions of the scanning machines officials are done with an intent to force a reversion to the old and time- wasting physical examinations of cargoes at the nation’s seaports.

In the petition  addressed to the National Security Adviser, NSA, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, the freight forwarders said the alleged actions of the scanning machine officials smacks of sabotage of the efforts of the Federal Government to properly secure the country, as well as undermining some agencies, Concessionaires and other public officers in the discharge of their duties at the ports.

” We write your good offices, regarding deliberate, malicious, and orchestrated methods through which the operators at the Nation’s seaports subvert the plan and purpose of introducing scanning machines in cargo clearing processes especially at the nation’s Western Seaports.

“You may recall that the rationale, purpose and original intention of introducing scanning machines principally was among other reasons to  facilitate trade, by way of ensuring timely cargo clearing processes.

“The conventional method and/or idea was for freight forwarders or agents to bring in their container laden trucks to the scanning centre and after undergoing the statutory procedures and extant processes would exit the port.

If, however, the container fails scanning text ,the agent takes his truck to the physical examinations platform where the suspected infractions ,namely wrong declaration,concealment and other noticeable illegal acts are referred to relevant Government agencies or units for further action .

However, and unfortunately so, what we have, and experience now is deliberate circumvention of the near-perfect arrangements of COTECNA in scanning of goods and this is obviously for parochial or  pecuniary interest” part of the petition letter reads.

But in an interview with The Source on Sunday July 14 ,2024, the National spokesperson for the NCS, Abdullahi Aliyu Maiwada CSC, described the allegations as vague, and baseless.

“The allegation is vague and without specificity, based on what we have seen.

“I don’t think we will waste our time responding to frivolities that might distract us from performing effectively our responsibilities of revenue generation,trade facilitation and suppression of smuggling.

“We are ready to provide  answers when issues are placed on our doorsteps.” Maiwada stated