TimesNow.com.ng journalist Victor Enengedi has over a decade’s experience covering Energy, MSMEs, Technology and the Stock Market.
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has issued a two-week deadline for the clearance of specific overtime containers and vehicles, warning that any unclaimed cargo will be auctioned.
According to an advertorial released by the NCS, the auctioning process will begin once the grace period ends, calculated from the date of the announcement.
This action aligns with the provisions of the new Customs Act, granting the service authority to dispose of cargo that has overstayed its permitted duration at the ports.
The publication revealed that 512 overtime cargoes are scattered across Lagos ports, including Apapa, Kirikiri Lighter Terminal, Ports & Terminals Multiservice Limited, and Tincan Island Ports.
The Nigeria Customs Service clarified that this action aligns with the provisions of the NCS Act 2023, following an ex parte motion filed under case number FHC/L/MISC/8262024 on November 28, 2024.
The customs said:
The Act mandates that goods be disposed of via public auction or tender, with prior announcements widely disseminated through national newspapers, television, and the service’s official website.
This follows the inauguration of a committee by the Comptroller-General of Customs, Mr. Adewale Adeniyi, aimed at addressing overtime cargoes to expedite the flow of imported and export-bound goods.
Adeniyi highlighted that reducing port congestion remains a top priority for both the Nigeria Customs Service and President Ahmed Bola Tinubu, with a focus on improving efficiency and fostering better trade facilitation.
A few months ago, the Customs announced a 90-day window for revising import duties on specific vehicle categories.
This initiative coincided with the relaunch of the electronic auction system for abandoned and seized vehicles, as well as other goods, including containers that had exceeded their permitted stay at the ports.
In related news, TimesNow.com.ng reported that the NCS had integrated 25 banks into its Indigenous payment and clearing platform.
The platform, called B’Odogwu, was launched to modernise customs processes and enhance national revenue generation.
The Customs revealed that the platform has diversified shipments, boosted trade and introduced new revenue streams.
Source: TimesNow.com.ng
