By Chuks Okoh
Exactly a week after the Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Customs Services, NCS, Alhaji Abdullahi Inde Dikko gave the approval for the re-opening of the cargo terminal at the Murtala Mohammed International Airport, MMIA, Lagos, investigation has revealed that over 75 per cent of the cargoes are yet to be cleared by clearing agents.
This is also as sources close to the clearing agents alleged that the managements of the two ground handling companies; the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO, plc and the Skyway Aviation Handling Limited, SAHCOL, are claiming demurrage for the goods not cleared within the period of the closure.
But, the Manager, Corporate Communications & Branding, NAHCO, Mr. Tayo Ajakaye denied planned increment in fee on the cargoes by the ground handling company.
He also insisted that the ground handler has enough personnel to accelerate cargo clearance within its warehouse.
During a visit to the apron side of the airport Wednesday it was observed that uncleared cargoes still flood the tarmac while cargo planes still import goods into the country despite the non-clearance of the former.
A clearing agent source however heaped the blame on the door step of the ground handlers, purporting that they don’t have enough capable hands to ensure speedy clearing of goods in their warehouses.
The source claimed that only 25 per cent of goods had been cleared so far by the companies, stressing that the stringent measures also put in place by the customs was slowing down progress at the tarmac.
He added, “Unlike in the past where these goods would be cleared almost immediately due to the assistance from clearing agents, it is no longer the same. In fact, some goods now spend extra days in the warehouses of the ground handlers due to insufficient personnel and the new measures put in place by the Customs.
“Also, just few days ago, management of the two ground handling companies threatened to impose additional charges on good not cleared with a specific period. How can we clear the goods when the personnel on ground are not capable of discharging their duties as expected? He queried.
But, NAHCO’s spokesman, Mr. Tayo Ajakaye told our correspondent that the handling company had enough staff to catre for the needs of its clients.
Ajakaye explained that NAHCO about few weeks ago employed 40 additional staff who were on training during the period of the closure and have now resumed work in cargo services.
He noted that 30 of the new recruit were deployed to China Bulk Breaking; five to General Bulk Breaking and another five to Export Warehouse, adding that these are in addition to the staff who work in those units before the closure.
On the demurrage claim, Ajakaye denied additional fee by NAHCO, saying that for all shipments still in the tarmac, there is no demurrage paid.
He added, “These shipments are not in our cargo warehouse yet. For shipments that have been tallied and are in our warehouse before the closure of the warehouse, there would be no demurrage charged.
“For shipments whose documentation were completed and (which) have customs exit paper before the closure, no demurrage is charged. Only those shipments who have entered our warehouse and not yet tallied at the time of the closure would attract payment of demurrage.
“Even, at that, of the total 16 days, eight days would be waived. However the waiver would only be given on the review of the cases on a case – by – case basis.”
Besides, the President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents, ANLCA, Mr. Aloysius Igwe in a telephone interview with our correspondent declined to blame the ground handlers and Customs for the slow clearance process in the last one week.
He however said that the ground handlers initially wanted to charge some amount of money as demurrage for the goods hooked up in the warehouses for the two weeks crisis, but noted that after several meetings with them, they agreed to waive some for them.
He added, “The Customs clearing procedures have always been there. It is just that Customs are trying to enforce the rules to the letter . Some things that were hitherto overlooked are now given serious attention by them.”
