Customs broker carpets SIFAX over container pilferage at terminal

The management of Ports and Cargo has been accused of failure to provide adequate security at  the terminal as a container was allegedly pilfered by yet to be identified persons at the terminal.

Jude Ige, the clearing agent to the importer whose consignment was plundered, said a 40 feet container belonging to his principal containing four vehicles was vandalised at the Tin Can port base of the terminal penultimate Thursday.

Ige who is the Chairman, Association of Registered Freight Forwarders in Nigeria (AREFFN), Tin Can Island Port chapter, stated that the shipper had been assured of compensation by the terminal operator on all lost items from all the four vehicles.

Our correspondent gathered that as a result of the incident, the Chief Security Officer of SIFAX-owned  terminal has been suspended over the stolen items from the vehicles.

The vehicles include two 2010 and two 2012 models of Toyota Camry.

Items stolen from the vehicles include; side mirrors and sophisticated bottoms.

Mr Ige therefore said the terminal operator lacked security equipments, hence the possibility of vandalizing the container without the knowledge of the security operatives.

Ige alleged that lack of Circuit Camera Television (CCTV), resulted to vandalization of containers at the facility, adding that other terminals within Tin Can Port were well equipped with such security apparatus.

He further alleged that security personnel at the terminal are not properly trained to manage security related issues, calling on management of the terminal to strategically place more CCTV and improve on its security related activities.

Reacting to the allegations, the Manager, Public Affairs of SIFAX, Mr. Muyiwa Akande dismissed the claim that the terminal had no CCTV and that a security personnel was sacked in relation to any security lapse in the terminal.

Asked if dockworkers at the terminal might be responsible for the vandalism, the spokesman said “I don’t think so because I wouldn’t want to assume”.

He noted that concessionaire recently appointed a security expert as its Chief Security Officer (CSO) pointing out “it is untrue to say we sacked anyone over any form of allegations leveled against us,” he maintained.