Importers and their agents are slowly returning to the ports in Lagos to clear and take delivery of their cargoes, findings by SHIPS & PORTS have shown.
When a SHIPS & PORTS correspondent visited the Lagos Port Complex Apapa and the Tin Can Island Port Complex both in Lagos, only a handful of agents were seen processing their clearing documents at the Customs Commands.
A terminal operator at the Tin Can Island Port confirmed that though the ports were opened and remained fully operational all through the Christmas and New Year holidays, the rate cargo delivery had plunged by more than 80 per cent.
A customs officer at the Apapa Area Command of Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) also confirmed that the holidays took a huge toll on cargo clearing activities at the nation’s premiere port.
“We had a few agents who came in today to book examinations and do a few other things but it is still a far cry from the level of activities that we used to have. I am hopeful that things will begin to return to normal by next week when most of those who must have travelled for the Christmas and New Year holidays return,” the Customs officer, who did not want his identity revealed because he did not obtain official clearance to speak on the matter, said.
Meanwhile, some clearing agents, who spoke with SHIPS & PORTS, have decried the high cost of clearing goods at the port due to increased Customs duty payment. They said the hike in import duty as a result of high exchange rate and the cost of shipping goods into Nigeria have reduced the volume of cargo at the port, thereby rendering many of them idle.
“The shipment is not coming out because of the fluctuation in the exchange rate and high cost of importation. Most freight forwarders have stopped working and most customers also. Those importing five containers before are now managing to import one. The system is not giving joy anymore.
“The high rate of duties and the exchange rate keeps increasing everyday. So most agents find it difficult to cope because the prices change unexpectedly. For example, if you agree on a price with your client today, by the next day, the exchange rate would have gone up with no notification. How do you continue with such transaction?
“This is affecting us and every other industry in the country. Most people don’t even have transport to come out or move around. Before now, I spend six hundred naira to get to Apapa but now, I spend three thousand naira with no hope of engaging in any business for the day so, if I don’t have such money, I would rather not go out,” an agent who identified himself as Henry Nwoye, told SHIPS & PORTS.
“As we resumed here, there should have been a lot of people but no more job. The present economic issue has affected the import business. Many people have relocated while those around are observing to see if there will be improvements so that they can come back. I have not been to the port in the past six months because there is no work. We are just sleeping at work,” another agent named Abubakar Tilo said.