There are doubts over the commencement of the test run of the Pre-Arrival Assessment Report (PAAR) of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS).
NCS was scheduled to begin implementation of the PAAR on Friday last week at the Tin Can Island Port (TCIP) and run it side by side the Risk Assessment Report (RAR), currently being issued by the destination inspection service providers, till the end of this month.
The Service had in January this year suspended the PAAR implementation sequel to the extension of contract of the service providers by the Federal Government.
When SHIPS& PORTS DAILY visited the TCIP last week, clearing agents were oblivious of the issuance of PAAR by the Nigeria Customs Service.
A clearing agent who simply identified himself as Jude said he was not aware of any PAAR document. He said he had just concluded the transfer of a container at the port using the RAR issued to him by the destination inspection company.
At one of the Customs revenue collecting bank located on Warehouse Road, Apapa, SHIPS & PORTS DAILY was informed by one of the officials that the bank is not aware of a switch over to PAAR. The official, who did not want her identity disclosed, claimed to not have ever seen a PAAR document nor understand its place in the cargo clearing process.
Public Relations Officer of NCS, Wale Adeniyi, had at a stakeholders’ forum held in Lagos recently warned that port users would experience some hiccups during the PAAR test run.
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