A World Bank delegation and trade facilitation committee led my the Minister of Industry Trade and Investment were on Monday told that operator of the nation’s largest container terminal, APMT has consistently hindered the drive for trade facilitation at the Apapa port
Making separate presentations during an interactive session, the Deputy Comptroller of Customs in charge of Revenue, DC Wale Adenuga and a Chieftain of the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents(ANLCA) Seyi Adebiyi blamed APMT for inability of the port to actualize full potential for port users.
Adenuga said the customs scanning seat is equipped and ready to scan an average of 200 containers daily while it takes three minutes to scan each container.
He alleged that APMT only positions between 100 and 120 containers per day thereby under utilising customs capacity to examine more boxes for trade
Adenuga added that the NCS automation has improved greatly with prospects of more development to improve trade at the
Adebiyi alleged that the delays attributed to APMT are self serving as the company makes money from importers and agents through demurrage paid from the delays and limited timing associated with container positioning for examination from 11am to 3pm on weekdays.
“For the stakeholders in Apapa, we have a position and the position is that we want to do business devoid of conflict and confrontation.We don’t want any form of industrial action.However, we also expect the government to help us because they are the owners of the port.They only rented it to APMT.
“We hope the government prevail on them so that they can do the needful.They have other operations in other countries in Africa and in the world.They should give the very best of service.At least, I know some other terminals that are doing very well and they work with time to deliver cargoes.I know that APMT can deliver, because they have the infrastructure to deliver” he concluded
