So says the Area Controller, Apapa Area Command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Charles Edike.
Edike said that contrary to what obtained in the first few days of Global Scansystem’s takeover of scanning operation at the port, the company now scans up to 200 containers per day thereby improving the clearing process at the port.
Comptroller Edike, who hosted executive members of the Maritime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria (MARAN) in his office yesterday, said that over 1,300 containers have also been transferred to offdock facilities to stem congestion at the port.
He said although the Apapa Customs Command has a monthly revenue target of N37 billion; containers will continue to be transferred to offdock terminals whenever the need arises. He said the move transfer will not translate to any revenue loss as all money collected by the various Customs Commands eventually end up in the same account.
“We all have the same CGC”, he said.
He commended the members of MARAN for upholding the ethics of journalism and for their contribution to the growth of the maritime industry through unbiased reporting and critical analysis.
Earlier, the President of Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), Mr. Bolaji Akinola, said the association is made up of 53 reporters covering the maritime beat and is an affiliate of the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ).
Akinola said MARAN is ready and willing to work with the Nigeria Customs Service to facilitate trade in the country.
He described Comptroller Edike as a unique officer who can easily be described as the best Customs Area Controller.
He urged the command to assist journalists covering the beat to effectively discharge their duties.
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