In a bid to clear the backlog of consignments stuck at the Lagos Port Complex (LPC), Apapa as a result of the two-week strike embarked upon by clearing agents penultimate Monday, Customs Area Controller, Apapa Area command of the Nigeria Customs Service, Comptroller Charles Edike has cautioned officers against issuing ‘frivolous’ queries on consignments to avoid unnecessary delay in the clearance process.
Speaking in a chat with SHIPS & PORTS DAILY in his office yesterday, Edike said while officers must ensure proper examination of containers for security reasons, they must avoid delaying containers unduly.
He said as part of measures to clear the backlog, the command has resumed full weekend operation which he said was previously irregular.
“The officers have now commenced full weekend operation. The weekend operation before the strike was skeletal but now we want to see it as a duty so that we can clear the backlog and there must be no frivolous queries at all because it causes delay and time is money.
“Proper examination must also be conducted because of national security. If they say because there is rush and containers are not properly examined, you may not know that the one that was not properly examined may be carrying something offensive,” he said.
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