The Federal Ministry of Transportation plans to collaborate with the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) to streamline the disposal of over-time cargo, enhancing service delivery at ports. Dr. Magdalene Ajani, the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, announced this during a visit to the NCS Headquarters in Abuja.
Dr. Ajani emphasized the urgency of addressing the overflow of overtime cargoes, some of which have been stored for over a decade, raising concerns about their integrity and hindering operational efficiency. She highlighted the objectives of the joint committee established by the Ministry, its agencies, and the NCS: sensitizing stakeholders about the importance of clearing the ports, conducting an audit of overtime cargoes, and proposing suitable methods for their disposal to free up the ports.
In response, Bashir Adeniyi, the Acting Comptroller General of NCS, assured the delegation that the new Nigeria Customs Service Act of 2023 contains provisions specifically addressing port congestion. The Act limits the storage of cargoes in ports and stipulates a 28-day dwell time, after which the NCS is authorized to initiate the sales, disposal, or destruction of uncleared goods. Adeniyi also emphasized the inclusion of sanctions for individuals who abandon goods in the ports. He pledged to engage stakeholders in the decision-making process while adhering to the law to maintain efficiency.
Adeniyi further stressed the importance of collaboration between the Ministry, its agencies, and terminal operators for seamless operations, aiming to ensure the competitiveness and efficiency of Nigerian ports.