Stakeholder calls for consistent policies to drive maritime industry

Tayo Oladipupo |

A critical stakeholder in the freight forwarding sector of the Maritime industry has advocated for well-defined and consistent policies that will lead to efficient management of the industry.

Comrade Emeka Emmanuel Enwelu, Chairman, Apapa Chapter of National Council of Managing Directors of Licenced Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) made the call recently in Lagos saying it would help to fast track development of the sector.

Enwelu maintained that the sector was capable of generating revenue especially now that the economy is in dire need of funds to finance its budget.

He said, “Maritime is a large industry which gives us advantage to be a maritime nation, but now what Nigeria needs is a maritime policy.

“As a nation, we need maritime transport policy which will include road and rail transport. So, from that policy, our priorities and development plan will be to have the policy guidelines.

“When you are trying to have a master plan for the ports, it is not done in isolation of rail, road and inland water transport. You should incorporate all other modes of transport into it. The transport plan must be that, all ports are not congested, less traffic, seemingly zero human traffic,” he advised.

The chairman added that the customs e-clearance platform can only succeed if all partners involved in cargo clearance in the port comply with the rules of engagement.

However, he stated that the initial hitches with the platform emanated from inability of customs officers to handle the query generated by the system.

“In the contrary, PAAR is queried without Customs Intelligence Unit’s (CIU) investigation reports after physical examinations. Any input of alert will attract delay and demurrage which consequently will make cargo handling in Apapa port very costly and expensive”.

Enwelu, who said that Apapa Customs command loses about 70% of its containers on trans ire to Bonded Terminal, added that high cost of handling containers at the port is responsible for such.

Calling on the Area Controller to soft-pedal on the matter , he said, “We are calling on the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Customs Command, who is customs agents friendly to advise his sub-ordinates to have cordial relationship and better understanding with Licensed Customs agents in Cargo Clearance processes.”