Bonded terminals begin submission of overtime cargoes to Customs

In response to the demand by the Customs Area Controller (CAC) of the Apapa command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Duncan bonded terminal under the command says it has submitted the number of overtime cargoes in its terminal.

Some of the cargoes submitted to the CAC’s office are consignments that date back to 2013 while others have spent about three months in the facility.

The Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Bashir Abubakar at a stakeholders’ meeting in Lagos recently, appealed to bonded terminal operators to release full details of overtime cargoes in their various facilities.

Bashir during his maiden meeting with stakeholders noted that the service would encourage bonded terminal operations to thrive, adding that shippers have every right to decide where their cargoes should go.

But speaking with newsmen on the development at the weekend, General Manager, Duncan Bonded Terminal, Alhaji Haruna Omolajomo disclosed that his facility has ten overtime cargoes in its possession.

Omolajomo who also doubles as the Executive Secretary Association of Bonded Terminal Operators of Nigeria (ABTON) added that one of the consignments can be traced back to 2013.

He said “In this terminal, we have about ten containers and we have already submitted the list to the Customs Area Controller in Apapa”.

According to him, the directive from customs was specific and the terminal has already submitted relevant details to the relevant authority.

He said, “We had already received a letter and submitted. That day was merely just a reminder because immediately he resumed, that was the first thing that emanated from his office.

“Some of the containers under me have been here for about two months. I have a container of 2013 which are listed among the overtime cargoes.

Speaking on how the customs can encourage off dock operations, the GM noted that “What we want them to do is to see how they can visit our facilities and relate with us better.

“What we want from them is to make trade facilitation an easy one.

“The CAC was very specific; he wanted us to submit the list of overtime cargoes. What is obtainable in other areas is that no container is allowed by international law to see beyond 48 hours at the sea port”

“We suggested to him that cargoes that are left over after 28 days should be allowed to be moved to bonded terminals so that at that time, agents can come to bonded terminals and take their consignments.