Exporters decry frustration of businesses at the ports

• Customs agents disagree

EXPORTERS have decried that the Executive Order by Vice President Yemii Oshibanjo, on Ease of doing Business has not made any difference as there are still a lot of bureaucracies at the seaports.

According to them, bureaucracy is killing exporters, whereas goods are cleared within one week at the seaports in Benin Republic, and Togo, while it takes several months to clear in Nigeria. The shippers argued that they are forced to engaged in sharp practices due to bureaucracy by the custom agents who often time delay their containers and make them to pay demurrage even after the

goods have been cleared.

The Secretary, the National Freight Haulers Association (NFHA) FCT Chapter, Amobi Adukwu, while speaking at the second quarter General Meeting of the Abuja Shippers Association, at the weekend, stressed the need to rejig the Nigerian Customs Service. He said: “The reality is that as far as Nigeria is concerned, it is not easy for shippers to bring in goods. Although the Customs said that importers often time under-declare or fail to declare, or try to cut corners, but this same people go to Benin Republic or Togo and their goods are cleared within one week, why is Nigerians under clear or fail to declare it because of the bureaucracy. “The Customs need to be rejigged because often time after they have finished inspection, they still retain the containers so that you continue to pay demurrage on it, and at the end of the day, you lose. It does not happen in other ports especially in the neighbouring countries, and that is why Nigeria is losing the market.”

Adukwu said the recent signing of the Africa Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA), by the President would further make shippers to abandon Nigeria ports in preference for ports in neighbouring countries.

However, the Chairman of Alllaj Dikko Logistics, Allah Dikko, who is also a Customs agent, argued that the Executive Order on Ease of doing business is working well; saying goods are not expected to be delayed if exporters follow the right channel.

He said: “This Trade.com, a federal government platform based on the Executive Order on Ease of doing business is really working. Once an importer or exporter keys into that programme, and you offload your cargo on the ship or aircraft, your bill of lading is sent into the country, it would chart, evaluate and if all the necessary charges are paid, once it gets to the ports it is as good as been cleared.”