Customs urged to review permit process for bonded warehouse

Maritime industry stakeholders and port users have urged the management of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) to urgently review the process that enabled individuals and organisations to obtain permits to operate bonded warehouse terminals without possessing the necessary equipment to inspect containers bringing goods into the country.

They alleged that the action became necessary to protect national security and the country’s economy.

According to an Apapa- based importer with 20 years’ experience who insisted on remaining anonymous for fear of persecution, the security implication of not having capacity to inspect containers bringing goods into the country cannot be over-emphasized, especially in a country soaked with tension and killings by herdsmen like Nigeria.

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“Anybody can bring anything, including prohibited items, under this kind of circumstances. Without proper inspection, for instance, recent arms seizures by the Customs could not have been possible,” he said.

Emphasizing the security threat possible in the activities of bonded terminals without equipment to inspect containers, he said that the absence of Customs examiners and other relevant government agencies at this bonded terminals makes them open to abuse.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Tin-Can Port Command, Mr Uche Ejesieme denied knowledge of the allegation. He emphasized that only individuals and organizations that met the conditions stipulated by the Service are granted permits to operate bonded terminals.