IMPORTERS operating at the Tin-Can Island ports of the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) have incurred huge surcharges from shipping companies and terminal operators as the Nigeria Customs Integration System (NICIS2) server is currently experiencing operational difficulties.
This server failure which has crippled business activities at the Tin-Can Island port have led to huge demmurage and storage charges for importers as processes of documentation for Customs clearance by clearing agents have remained very difficult.
The Tin-Can Island Port is the second busiest seaports in Nigeria after Apapa. The port has five terminal operators with different concessioning agreements.
Under the NICIS 2 platform, importers and clearing agents are expected to process their clearance documents right from the confines of their homes and offices. This was designed to reduce the level of crowd trooping into Nigerian ports and various Customs commands.
One of the clearing agents at Tin Can Island Port, Mr. Adebowale Dare told newsmen that the server failure for the past two weeks has ensured that clearing agents visit the customs processing centre (CPC) popularly called “longroom” to generate their clearance documents.
According to Mr. Adebowale, “You can be trying to capture a job for a whole day and the Customs website would still be failing. At the end of the day, you won’t be able to generate assessment. Even if you succeeded in generating assessment and capture your job, you won’t be able to generate C number, and If you are unable to generate C number, you cannot print out the assessment. At this stage, you would now be forced to go to the Customs Long-Room before they can generate it for you. Going to the Customs Long-Room breeds physical contact between importers and Customs officers, thereby promoting bribery and extortion.
“Under normal circumstances, we are suppose to generate assessment and capture jobs right from the comfort of our offices, but now we are unable to generate C number due to server breakdown, and we are being forced to visit Customs Long-Room where anything happens. And once you cannot generate C number, demurrage and storage charges will start accumulating. This has been the situation at the Tin-Can ports for the past two weeks.”
When contacted, the Public Relations Officer of the Tin-Can Customs command, Uche Ejesieme, confirmed the server failure but added that the Customs server is being managed by Webfontaine in partnership with Interswitch, two technical partners of the Nigeria Customs Service.
Ejesieme, further lamented that the command is also losing revenue to the server failures and that the Tin-Can Customs Command is more concerned even more than the importers.
YOU SHOULD NOT MISS THESE HEADLINES FROM NIGERIAN TRIBUNE
Buy and read digital replicas of your TRIBUNE titles by subscribing through E-VENDING
Reps Approve $22.799bn External Loan, Revised 2020-2022 MTEF-FSP Amidst Protest
The House of Representatives on Tuesday approved Federal Government’s request to borrow $22.799 billion external loan and the revised Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Policy Paper (FSP), as South-East lawmakers protested exclusion from the new borrowing plan… Read full story
We Have Not Relaxed Ban On Religious Activities, 8pm To 5am Curfew Still In Force, Says Oyo Govt
The Oyo State COVID-19 Task Force, headed by Governor Seyi Makinde, stated on Tuesday that it was yet to relax the ban on religious activities and the curfew imposed as a result of the pandemic. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr. Taiwo Adisa, confirmed that the Task Force made its… Read full story
I Expect Police To Bring UNIBEN Student’s Killers To Justice Quickly, Says Buhari
President Muhammadu Buhari has condoled with the family of Uwaila Omozuwa, the University of Benin undergraduate who was raped and later died last week, saying he expected the Nigerian Police to speedily investigate the case and ensure the culprits are brought to justice… Read full story
Again, PDP Calls For N70 Pump Price Rate •Rejects Announced N121 per litre
The Opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has again called on the Federal Government to review the fuel pump price rate to N70 per litre to reflect global oil price reality. According to the party, any rate higher than this would amount to shortchanging Nigerians and urged that national assembly to compel the… Read full story
Churches, Mosques Services To Last For 1 Hour ― PTF
The Presidential Task Force (PTF) on COVID-19 pandemic has said that regular services in churches and mosques will be restricted to a maximum of one hour to minimize contact among worshippers. The National Coordinator of the task force, Dr Sani Aliyu, said this on Tuesday while giving clarification on the lifting of… Read full story
Re-Election: I’ll Stand Solidly By You, Buhari Tells Adesina
President Muhammadu Buhari has thrown his weight behind Dr Akinwumi Adesina in his bid to get re-elected as President of the African Development Bank (AfDB). He made the declaration at the presidential villa, Abuja, on Tuesday, while hosting Dr Adesina on a courtesy visit… Read full story
Don’t Open Places Of Worship Yet, Sheikh Gummi Tells FG
Popular Islamic scholar, Sheikh Ahmed Gummi has kicked against the reopening of places of worship by the Federal Government. Tribune Online reports that the Presidential Task Force had earlier stated on Monday that the Federal Government had approved the easing of places of worship… Read full story
Schools’ Resumption: Lagos Plans Staggered Classes
The Lagos State government has said part of its plans and considerations to reopen schools which are shut is to maintain staggered classes for students. Recall that schools have been shut down since March because of the coronavirus pandemic in the country… Read full story
8 Fresh Cases Of Ebola Confirmed In DRC ― WHO
The World Health Organisation (WHO) Regional Office for Africa has confirmed eight fresh cases of Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The UN’s health agency confirmed the development in a statement posted on its website… Read full story
Thieves Tunnel Into Shoprite, Steal Drinks Worth R300,000
A Shoprite LiquorShop at the Newtown Junction shopping centre in Johannesburg has been robbed in bizarre fashion by thieves who tunnelled through a solid concrete floor to gain access, News24 reports. Tribune Online reports that the robbery took place while the shop was closed due to the COVID-19 lockdown while… Read full story
Satellite Cable: Reps Begin Probe Of Non-Implementation Of Pay-As-You-Go Package
Chairman, House of Representatives’ Ad-hoc Committee investigating the non-implementation of the pay-as-you-go package by satellite providers in the country, Hon. Unyime Idem, on Tuesday, assured Nigerians of justice. Hon. Idem who gave the assurance while giving an update on the closed-door meeting held after the… Read full story
Expect Your Two Months Salary Arrears Within 72 Hours, Minister Assures N-Power Monitors
The Federal Government, on Tuesday, assured all the accredited monitors of the N-Power scheme of its readiness to pay the outstanding two-month salaries within the next 72 hours. The Minister of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, Sadiya Umar Farouq, who gave the assurance via… Read full story
Court Orders Immediate Release Of Orji Uzor Kalu From Prison
A Federal High Court in Lagos has ordered the immediate release of former governor of Abia State, Senator Orji Uzor Kalu from the Kuje correctional centre in Abuja. Justice Mohammed Liman gave the order after listening to an application filed by Senator Kalu seeking to set aside the conviction of December… Read full story
$10m Bribery Scandal: Reps Ask Security Agencies To Investigate CUPP Spokesman
The House of Representatives on Tuesday resolved to refer the $10 million bribery allegations levelled against the House of Representatives to the appropriate security agencies for criminal investigation and activate processes for requisite redress against the spokesman of the Coalition of Political Parties… Read full story
Reps Task FG On Adequate Preparation For Post-Oil Economy In Nigeria
The House of Representatives on Tuesday admonished Federal Government on the need to direct its energy, resources and focus on how to diversify the economy from dependence on oil to avert the looming economic implosion. The resolution was passed sequel to the adoption of a motion sponsored by… Read full story