Most port delays originating from terminal operators, shipping companies — Reps

The House of Representatives Committee on Customs and Excise has alleged that terminal operators and shipping companies behave like Lords, stating that most of the delays witnessed in the ports emanate from shipping companies and terminal operators.

The lawmakers disclosed this during an oversight visit to the Apapa Customs Command in Lagos.

Speaking after being briefed by the Customs Area Controller of Apapa Customs Command, Babatunde Olomu, Chairman of the Committee, Hon LekeAbejide, said that a technical committee was being set up by the lawmakers to beam searchlight on the activities of terminal operators and shipping companies.

According to Abejide, “People outside do not understand that most of the delays at the port does not originate from Customs, but from terminal operators and shipping lines, they behave like lords.

“We are going to form a technical committee to make sure we look deeply into their activities because it is not helping Nigeria and the stakeholders working at the port.

“The Nigerian stakeholders making use of these facilities are losing money, but these foreigners don’t want to lose a dime. We will tell them we are not animals. We shall invite them to Abuja, and the stakeholders would also be invited to join them.”

Speaking earlier, Customs Area Controller of Apapa Customs Command stressed the need for terminal operators, specifically Eko Support, ENL Terminal and APM Terminals, to upgrade their operating equipment in line with the concession agreement signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Olomu said “We wish to urge your committee to kindly interface with some other government agencies regulating terminal operators like Eko Support, ENL and APM Terminals on the need for them to upgrade their operating equipment in line with the concession agreement signed with the Federal Government of Nigeria.

“If properly taken care of, this has a potential of positively impacting the revenue generating capability of the command. Customs modernisation cannot succeed in isolation unless other government agencies move with the tides and upgrade their level of automation.”