‘ How Nigeria can improve scanning capacity to 178,000 containers yearly’

• Customs CG says physical examination to continue for non- compliant traders, importers

THE Federal Government has implored agencies in the maritime sector, terminal operators and other stakeholders to cooperate with the Nigeria Customs Service ( NCS) to ensure the newly deployed non- intrusive mobile scanning machines at the three major seaports in the country scan about 178, 000 containers yearly.

The Minister of Finance, Budget and National Planning, Zainab Ahmed made the call yesterday during the commissioning of the three newly installed Nuctech mobile scanners at APMT scanning site Apapa port, Tin Can port and Onne port.

She said, while the current daily average processing capacity is as low as 120 containers, the scanners deployed at Apapa, Tin Can and Onne seaports will achieve a daily scanning capacity of 500 containers to bring the desired efficiency and effectiveness in cargo examination processes in the country.

Ahmed said the procurement of the new mobile scanners were due to some of the X- Ray scanners provided by three Scanning Service Providers ( SSPS) that became dysfunctional, which resulted in physical examination of goods by the NCS.

She said the current process of physical examination of cargoes is time consuming and causing loss of revenue to the government.

The minister said the scanning of cargoes would ha ve the capacity to detect prohibited imports that are con - cealed in cargoes.

She said this process enables more cargoes to be scanned and brings about the desired efficiency and effectiveness in customs cargo examinations.

The minister added that the commissioning of the three new scanners is in line with the NCS’S effort to expedite operations, achieve ease of doing business, facilitate trade, prevent port congestion, increase revenue generation to government and improve national security.

She further revealed that efforts are being made to procure more scanners for the seaports, land borders and airports across the country to improve efficiency and generate more revenue to the gov - ernment.

On his part, the Comptroller General Of Customs, Hameed Ali, said the challenge of security is of immense concern to all well- meaning citizens as a good number of items, which pose threat to national security, find their way through the various entry points into the country.