Nigerian Ports not business-friendly - Importers

ABIOLA Seun |

The National President, National Council of Managing Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA), Lucky Awimero has described Nigeria seaports as not business friendly.

Speaking exclusively to Nigerianmaritime360.com, Amiwero said the bad state of the road has made access to and out of the Lagos Port a nightmare for importers and clearing agents .

“It takes over five days to access both the Apapa and Tin-Can ports. It has been very terrible, raw materials are getting damaged before leaving the port to their destinations because of the poor access roads. The access roads should be fixed. The whole industry is in limbo.

He continued, ” Goods cannot be cleared in the seaports within 24hours, so who will import through Nigeria Ports?

Our port is not importer ‎friendly, our clearing process is cumbersome, archaic and lengthy.

“There is need for complete overhaul of the ‎system. Clearing of cargoes is still cumbersome. The industry is porous and it needs help.”

Amiwero further stated that the indices haven’t allowed the Nigeria port system perform well in 3rd quarter of 2016.

“The Nigeria Maritime industry has not fared well in the third quarter despite the country exit from recession. We have bad roads which is one on the worst in the world, we have a bad process, the scanners are not working.

After the service providers handed over to Nigeria Customs, it all collapsed and Customs began 100% cargo examination, where is that done anywhere in the world?

“Importation has not improved despite exiting recession. If so, how many people have regained their lost jobs?

“Goods cannot be cleared in Nigeria Ports within 24hours so who will import through Nigeria Ports?

” This is very bad, people are losing their jobs due to state of infrastructure at the seaports. Where in the world is 100% examination done and why do importers have to pay for inactivity of shipping companies, Customs and operators?

Shipping companies have one of the highest charges and terminal operators duplicating charges,” he alleges.