Customs bars Connect Rail access to Ikorodu Lighter Terminal

The Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has barred the firm saddled with the movement of export cargoes by barges from Ikorodu Lighter Terminal from having access to the facility.

Confirming this in an exclusive chat with the Nigerian Tribune, the Managing Director of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Hadiza Bala Usman revealed that her office has already called the attention of the CG of Customs, Col. Hameed Alli to the development, insisting that Customs does not own the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal facility.

According to the NPA MD, “The NPA has been encouraging firms to come and help move cargoes by barges by granting approval to interested firms. We recently gave Connect Rail Maritime Services approval to move export cargoes by barges from the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal. However, we received complaints that the NCS has stopped Connect Rail from moving cargoes by barges.

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“I have called the Comptroller General of NCS, Col. Hameed Alli this morning on the issue. There seems to be a general misconception about the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal that the NCS owns the facility, and I have called the Customs CG this morning, explaining to him that NPA only leased a portion of the land for Customs operations. Customs don’t own the facility. Customs does not have a lease for the whole land. The Customs should limit themselves to the portion leased to them.

“We have also written to the NCS, explaining to them what space is assigned to them. The CG of Customs has given us the assurances that he will direct the Assistant Comptroller General of Customs overseeing that place to allow us access to use the facility unhindered.

“The other misconception is that, many years ago, the Customs had written to the Presidency, asking that the whole of the Ikorodu Lighter Terminal be handed over to the Service, but that request was not approved. So probably they (Customs) are still nursing that ambition, thinking they own the whole of the facility. Maybe that is why they have prevented our partners’ access to the facility.

“I have spoken to the CG of Customs this morning, and have also written to the Service, reminding them that it is only a portion of the facility that is leased to them. I have told the Customs to allow users, as well as Connect Rail access to the facility. It is important that Customs allow every other people that have cargoes there, including Connect Rail access to the facility because the issue of intermodal means of cargo evacuation has been on the front burner for some time now.”