Customs Installs Drive Through Scanner to Process 200 Containers Hourly in Lagos Port
...As Comptroller Oshoba Tasks Stakeholders on Correct Declarations
The Nigeria Customs Service has competed the installation of a drive through scanner at the Apapa Port in Lagos as part of it’s modernisation and trade facilitation programmes
According to the Customs Area Controller, Comptroller Oshoba, the new scanner is capable of scanning 200 containers every one hour which amounts to spending an average three minutes, three seconds per container
Oshoba, while addressing reporters at the scanning site, urged importers, exporters, and other port stakeholders to ensure accurate and transparent declarations as the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) transitions into a fully paperless system designed to enhance efficiency and compliance.
Speaking during an inspection visit to assess the readiness of newly installed scanning infrastructure, Comptroller Oshoba highlighted the numerous benefits of the automated process, noting that it marks a major step toward modern trade facilitation in line with global standards.
“This system is going paperless. The same scanning image will be sent directly to the headquarters for audit, while officers on ground will handle the review process,” he explained.
“It helps facilitate trade and ensures compliance. Therefore, we advise our trading community to make proper and correct declarations, because wrong declarations impede trade and delay clearance.”
He cautioned that improper documentation or false declarations would be easily detected under the new system, thereby slowing down cargo clearance and affecting business timelines.
According to him, the current phase is a test run to ensure that all subsystems and installations are functioning optimally ahead of the official commissioning of the project.
“The last time we were here, this structure was not in place. Now it is ready. My visit today is to ascertain the level of readiness and report back to management for the eventual inauguration,” he said.
Comptroller Oshoba affirmed that the scanners and image systems are fully operational, expressing confidence that the new facility will strengthen Customs operations and improve overall trade efficiency.
“As you can see, the scanners are working, the image system is active — everything is ready. My duty here is to assess and brief management for the smooth operation of this project,” he concluded.
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