Nigeria Customs Service: The Backbone of Efficient Cargo Evacuation

By Lod Onyeji

The Customs Area Controller of Tin Can Island Port, Comptroller Dera Nnadi, delivered a paper at an event hosted by a government agency, highlighting the pivotal role of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) in ensuring seamless cargo evacuation from seaports to the hinterland.

According to Comptroller Nnadi, the NCS has implemented various measures to enhance trade efficiency and economic growth by streamlining cargo clearance and transportation. The NCS recognizes and licenses off-dock terminals and inland container terminals, ensuring efficient cargo clearance, security, and transportation. Escort customs officers guarantee the secure transit of goods from seaports to bonded terminals in the hinterland, preventing theft and tampering.

Comptroller Nnadi commended the NCS's collaborative efforts with terminal operators, stakeholders, and logistics partners to optimize cargo clearance. Other parties involved in cargo evacuation, including importers, exporters, shipping companies, freight forwarders, and regulatory bodies, also play crucial roles in ensuring smooth goods movement.

Despite these efforts, Comptroller Nnadi lamented that port congestion remains a significant challenge, citing inadequate infrastructure, inefficient port operations, regulatory and customs delays, limited hinterland connectivity, high traffic volume, and security issues as contributing factors.

The impacts of port congestion are far-reaching, including economic costs, reduced trade competitiveness, supply chain disruptions, environmental impact, loss of perishable goods, and strained infrastructure.

To mitigate port congestion, Comptroller Nnadi emphasized the need for investment in modernizing and expanding port infrastructure. He also recommended operational efficiency improvements, streamlining customs procedures, enhancing hinterland connectivity, capacity planning, public-private partnerships, improving security measures, and environmental initiatives.

By understanding and optimizing the roles of the NCS and other parties involved in cargo evacuation, Nigeria can enhance its trade efficiency and economic growth, Comptroller Nnadi concluded.