By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Tribune OnlineTribune OnlineTribune Online
  • Home
  • News
  • Columns
  • Editorial
  • VIDEOS
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Opinions
  • SPORTING TRIBUNE
Reading: Despite scanners procurement, over 6,000 containers litter Lagos ports —Investigation
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Tribune OnlineTribune Online
Font ResizerAa
  • Home
  • News
  • Columns
  • Editorial
  • VIDEOS
  • Entertainment
  • Politics
  • Health
  • Opinions
  • SPORTING TRIBUNE
  • About Us
  • Contact us
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy
  • Advertise
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
© 2025 African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc.. All Rights Reserved.
BusinessTop News

Despite scanners procurement, over 6,000 containers litter Lagos ports —Investigation

Tola Adenubi
September 12, 2022
Share
customs
SHARE

NIGERIAN Tribune investigation has revealed that despite the procurement of scanners at the Apapa port since September 2021, cargo examination at the ports is still largely done manually, leaving over 6000 containers trapped at the ports. 

Recall that while fielding questions from journalists in July 2022, the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Customs Command, Comptroller Yusuf Malanta blamed the ongoing works on the Lagos-Ibadan standard gauge rail for the delay in the takeoff of the scanners at the ports. 

He however assured then that the scanners will commence operations in two months’ time. 

However, checks by the Nigerian Tribune in September 2022 revealed that the scanners are yet to commence operations even as over 6,000 containers litter the ports due to the slow cargo examination processes of the Customs. 

Speaking with the Nigerian Tribune, a port worker who wouldn’t want his name in print as he is not authorized to speak on the matter explained that, “When the scanners arrived last year September, we were happy because to us, that should signal the end of physical examination of cargoes at the ports. 

“Examining cargoes physically is a very slow process. Imagine the amount of containers that arrive our ports every day. How many can Customs officers examine physically on a daily basis? Customs officers are human beings and have their limitations as humans. 

“Carrying out manual examination of cargoes at the ports slows down the logistics chain. This is why there are so many uncleared cargoes at the ports. The number of uncleared cargoes at the port is over 6000, and we are still counting because newer ships arrive at the ports every day to discharge fresh cargoes. 

“This does not help the terminal operators because it brings about space issues. The container terminal yard already has uncleared cargoes eating up space. So when fresh containers arrive, we always have issues with space. Where to keep newer cargoes is always a dilemma because the old ones that arrived earlier are yet to be cleared due to the slow nature of Customs examination. 

“If Customs does not examine these containers, they cannot leave the ports. But the form of examination being used by Customs is sluggish in nature. Thus, the number of uncleared containers littering the ports keep rising. It’s a dilemma that we find ourselves in at the ports. 

“The scanners are right there in the port. They are brand new but are not being used. It’s such a confusing situation that we find ourselves at the Apapa ports.” 

When contacted by the Nigerian Tribune on why the scanners are not yet in use, the Apapa Customs Spokesman, SC Abubakar Usman explained that the scanners are waiting to be commissioned by the Customs CG and Minister of Finance before eventual commencement of operations. 

In the words of SC Abubakar Usman, “The scanners were installed about two weeks ago and it is currently being test-run. 

ALSO READ FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE

  • Revealed: Why Atiku Is Cautious Over Call For Ayu’s Sack
  • Nigeria Needs Restructuring To Avert Retrogression —Bishop Wale Oke
  • APC, PDP Trade Accusations Over Plan To Attack Osun INEC Office
  • Again, Suspected Herders Kill Four, Burn Houses In Benue
  • My Journey From Prison To Global Stage —Burna Boy

“We cannot just start using the scanners if we don’t test run them. I was there with the Controller when the test run of the scanners started. About six or seven containers were used for the test-run process. 

“During the test-run, some minor operational issues were noticed and were forwarded to the Customs headquarters in Abuja. The Customs headquarters is currently addressing those minor operational issues discovered during the test run process. 

“The scanners are working perfectly well. It was just some minor operational issues that were discovered during the test run, and they are being addressed at the Customs headquarters. 

“We are waiting for the Comptroller General and the Minister to come and commission the scanners before we start using them for cargo examination. 

“In fact, the CG and the Minister were supposed to have come to commission the scanners before now. It was just due to the minor operational issues discovered during the test run process that delayed the commissioning. I know the headquarters is addressing those minor operational issues and very soon, the CG and the Minister will come and commission the scanners so that we can start using them during cargo examination.”


WATCH TOP VIDEOS FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE TV

  • Back to School, Back to Business A Fresh Start

  • Relationship Hangout: Public vs Private Proposals – Which Truly Wins in Love?

  • “No” Is a Complete Sentence: Why You Should Stop Feeling Guilty

  • Relationship Hangout: Friendship Talk 2025 – How to Be a Good Friend & Big Questions on Friendship

  • Police Overpower Armed Robbers in Ibadan After Fierce Struggle


    Get real-time news updates from Tribune Online! Follow us on WhatsApp for breaking news, exclusive stories and interviews, and much more.
    Join our WhatsApp Channel now


Share This Article
Facebook Email Print
Previous Article Adeleke’s inauguration signals victory for us ― PDP, vote harvests from inaccessible areas, same-faith politicians Ayu Nigerians,2023: APC has no legally valid candidates ―PDP, removal of PDP chairman, Lagos PDP Makinde Ayu,Ogun PDP Ayu Makinde,Amid internal crisis, Iyorchia Ayu goes to Europe for two weeks, PDP NEC passes voteWike, others were children when we started PDP, Our target is to win presidency, Ayu urges Abia govt to allow freedom of expression, PDP shifts organs meetings as Tambuwal calls for truce among feuding members, Winning Ekiti first step to rescue, rebuild Nigeria, Ayu, PDP, Don’t support any aspirant Despite vote of confidence, Ayu faces critical week in battle for survival
Next Article Review of Mark W. Johnson and Josh Suskewicz’s Lead from the Future: How to Turn Visionary Thinking into Breakthrough Growth

Frontpage Today

Subscribe to e-Paper

E-Vending, e paper, pdf, e-paper, Tribune
WOMEN

Xquisite
Xquisite Food
Xquisite Style
Wondrous World of Women

MORE

Business Coach
Education
Event Digest
Crime & Court
Do It Yourself
Ecoscope
Property & Environment
Energy
Maritime
Aviation
Brands & Marketing
Agriculture
Info Tech
Labour
Leadership & Management
Achievers
Arewa Live
Arts & Culture
Arts & Reviews
Campus Beat
Politics
Health News
MORE

Mum & Child
Natural Health
Sexuality & Health
Special Report
Sports
Tourism
Travelpulse & MICE
Tribune Business
Weekend Lagos
Youth Speak
Book Review
Thursday Tales
EDITORIAL

Editorial
Opinion
Letters
News Extra

BUSINESS

Capital Market
Money Market
Economy

ENTERTAINMENT

Friday Treat
Entertainment
Razzmattaz

REGIONS

South West
Niger Delta
Arewa

RELIGION

Tribune Church
Church News
Muslim Sermon
Eye of Islam
Islamic News

COLUMNS

Anike's Diary
Aplomb
Ask The Doctor
Autoclinic With The Mechanic
Awo's Thought
Borderless
Crucial Moment
Empowered For Life
Festus Adebayo's Flickers
Financewise
Gibbers
Intimacy
Language & Style
Leaders' Forum
Leadership & Management
Lynx Eye
Monday Lines
Mum & Child
Natural Health
Notes from Atlanta with Farooq Kperogi
On The Lord's Day
PENtagon
Political Panorama
Veritatem With Obadiah Mailafia
Voice of Courage
Whatsapp Conversation
You and Eye
Your Life Counts

© 2025 African Newspapers of Nigeria Plc. All Rights Reserved.
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?