Some clearing agents operating at the Lagos Port Complex, Apapa have lamented the lull in business activities at the port due to increased number of containers now transferred from the port to bonded terminals.
Customs Area Controller of the command, Comptroller Charles Edike had recently stated that the policy of transferring containers from Apapa port to bonded terminals was to facilitate trade pointing out that it does not matter where the duty is collected since the money goes into the central coffers of the Nigeria Customs Service.
However, some of the agents who spoke with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY, said the idea of transferring containers to bonded terminals has not only taken a toll on their business activities but has also affected the importers who always incur additional cost in the cause of transfer.
One of the agents, Frank Aliakor said most of the containers that are supposed to be cleared at Apapa are being transferred out of the ports which has thus reduced the volume of container traffic at the port and has impacted negatively on the command’s revenue performance.
“If you look at the environment, you will notice there is slow operation of work around here. Operation work at Apapa is no longer at its high pace; it has reduced unlike before when there is high volume of jobs being cleared here. Some of the containers transferred were supposed to be cleared here but now they have been taken away, so every where is empty,” he said.
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